President of Uzbekistan discusses further development of partnership with the World Bank

On June 29, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a World Bank delegation led by Antonella Bassani, Vice President of the Europe and Central Asia Region, who is in Uzbekistan to participate in a meeting of the Bank’s Swiss Constituency.

Antonella Bassani conveyed the sincere greetings and best wishes of World Bank President Ajay Banga to the President of Uzbekistan.

The parties discussed the further development of strategic cooperation with the World Bank Group in the priority areas of New Uzbekistan's ongoing structural reforms.

The sides noted with deep satisfaction the unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation and constructive partnership achieved with this global financial institution in recent years.

The high-level agreements reached with the World Bank President in New York last September are being implemented consistently.

The portfolio of joint projects has exceeded $15 billion. The Bank's regional office in Tashkent is operating successfully, while new financing instruments are being effectively introduced.

The parties emphasized the importance of thorough preparations for the upcoming visits of the Bank’s senior management and joint events scheduled for this year.

Support was expressed for plans to develop a new long-term Country Cooperation Program in the priority areas of socio-economic development.

Particular attention was paid to expanding the use of the World Bank Group's instruments to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, implement poverty reduction measures, jointly advance the privatization of state-owned enterprises, and introduce artificial intelligence across economic sectors.

The parties also noted that the priorities include close cooperation in financing the water sector, developing human capital, and supporting efforts to improve Uzbekistan's standing in international rankings.