"Central Asia - European Union" first summit's business program started on April 3 with a meeting between President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso. This was reported by the President's press service.
The practical aspects of further developing our country's extensive cooperation with this prestigious international financial institution were thoroughly considered.
The high level achieved in the strategic partnership relations between Uzbekistan and the EBRD was noted with great satisfaction. The portfolio of joint projects in priority sectors is steadily expanding. The bank's total investment in our country's economy has exceeded 5 billion euros, including almost 1 billion euros according to the results of the last year. The main volume of financial assistance is directed towards the private sector.
The medium-term Partnership Strategy for our country is being effectively implemented. With the help of EBRD experts, measures are being taken to transform the banking sector and expand opportunities for business.
At the meeting, it was noted that the joint efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of project implementation are yielding results. The importance of streamlining processes and accelerating project preparation was emphasized.
Issues of expanding support for small and medium-sized enterprises, women and youth entrepreneurship, and public-private partnership projects, including in education, water supply, domestic waste recycling, and other critical areas were in the focus of attention.
"Green" economy, carbon emission reduction, digitalization and artificial intelligence, mortgage market, and the development of transport communications, among other programs and projects, were identified as priority areas of cooperation.
Preparations for and the organization of the Tashkent International Investment Forum and the next meeting of the Foreign Investors Council in June of this year were also discussed.
