TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 5. Uzbekistan and
international financial institutions discussed support for small
and medium-sized businesses, job creation, and mobilization of
additional financial resources during a high-level roundtable,
Trend reports via the
Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan.
The event brought together representatives of the World Bank
(WB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB),
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA), German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ),
commercial banks, venture funds, government agencies, and the
private sector.
Discussions focused on strengthening the role of SMEs in
creating sustainable employment opportunities for the growing
number of people entering Uzbekistan’s labor market each year.
Participants also discussed coordination between international
financial institutions and development partners, improving the
efficiency of existing programs, and attracting additional sources
of financing, including private capital.
Special attention was paid to aligning ongoing and planned
initiatives with Uzbekistan’s national development priorities, as
well as identifying funding and policy gaps in support of
entrepreneurship.
The key areas discussed included improving the business climate,
expanding access to financing, mobilizing private sector resources,
and developing business infrastructure.
According to the ministry, the roundtable laid the groundwork
for broader cooperation between stakeholders aimed at supporting
SMEs, increasing employment, and enhancing the competitiveness of
Uzbek businesses.
