President of Uzbekistan outlines priorities for a comprehensive partnership with the EBRD
On June 18, during the regular meeting of the Foreign Investors Council, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, led by its President Odile Renaud-Basso.
The current state and plans to expand practical cooperation and strengthen the comprehensive partnership with the EBRD were considered, primarily in the context of implementing the New Uzbekistan reform program.
The current unprecedentedly high level of strategic partnership with this leading multilateral financial institution was noted with deep satisfaction.
Today, Uzbekistan is the EBRD’s largest partner in the region. The total portfolio of projects in priority areas has exceeded $7 billion. Most investments are directed toward supporting the private sector.
The signing of new agreements for the development of eco-friendly transportation, the digitalization of railway infrastructure, support for entrepreneurship, the mortgage market, and the country’s startup ecosystem was noted with satisfaction.
Key priorities for the current year include scaling up lending to small and medium-sized businesses, including export financing, implementing programs to train women and young people in business, participating in the development of the agri-food sector and the transformation of the banking and financial sectors, and other areas.
Plans to promote public-private partnership projects in education, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure were supported.
Interest was expressed in involving EBRD experts to improve project preparation mechanisms and increase the efficiency of their implementation.
The agenda for the upcoming fourth meeting of the Foreign Investors Council was also considered.
UzA
