The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be hosting its 32nd Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 16-18 May under the banner of “Investing in Resilience”.

The event will be the largest of its kind in Central Asia and represents a return to the region for the first time since 2011 for this highlight of the Bank’s calendar.

The three-day meeting will bring together over 2000 government officials, financial and corporate executives, entrepreneurs, civil society, and media from all over the world.

A wide range of topics will be discussed, including energy security and renewables; digitalization in emerging markets; and financial inclusion. Those unable to travel to Samarkand next week to take part in proceedings will be able to follow many of the events live online.

At the Annual Meeting, the Bank will also release its Regional Economic Prospects report presenting the latest macroeconomic forecast for its regions. 

One of the highlights of the Business Forum will be Uzbekistan’s Investment Outlook Session on 17 May. In 2022 alone the EBRD invested €839 million in 26 projects in the country, making it the leading recipient of Bank funding in Central Asia for the third year running. Among the investments was the EBRD’s largest renewable energy project in any of its regions so far.

To date, the EBRD has invested over €4 billion in 129 projects across Uzbekistan.

UzA