BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 18. Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a delegation from the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to hold talks on expanding
strategic partnership.
This was reflected in the statement by the press service of the
Uzbek president, following the meeting between the Uzbek President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) led by President Odile Renaud-Basso on June 18
on the sidelines of a meeting of the Foreign Investors Council.
The talks focused on strengthening practical cooperation between
Uzbekistan and the EBRD, particularly in support of the country's
ongoing reform agenda under the New Uzbekistan development
strategy.
"We note with deep satisfaction the current, unprecedentedly
high level of strategic partnership with this leading multilateral
financial institution." the presidential press service noted.
Both sides highlighted the record-high level of cooperation
between Uzbekistan and the multilateral lender. Uzbekistan
currently stands as the EBRD's largest partner in Central Asia,
with the bank's portfolio in the country exceeding $7 billion
across priority sectors. A significant share of investments has
been directed toward private-sector development.
The parties welcomed the signing of new agreements covering
green transport, railway digitalization, entrepreneurship support,
mortgage market development, and the country's startup
ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the two sides identified several priorities for
2026, including expanding financing for small and medium-sized
enterprises, increasing export financing opportunities, supporting
women and youth entrepreneurship programs, advancing agribusiness
projects, and continuing reforms in the banking and financial
sectors.
They also backed plans to promote public-private partnership
projects in education, healthcare, and transport infrastructure.
Mirziyoyev expressed interest in attracting EBRD expertise to
improve project preparation mechanisms and enhance implementation
efficiency.
The meeting additionally addressed preparations for the fourth
meeting of Uzbekistan's Foreign Investors Council.
The discussions underscore the EBRD's growing role in supporting
Uzbekistan's economic modernization and private-sector development.
As Tashkent accelerates market-oriented reforms and seeks to
attract foreign investment, cooperation with the EBRD provides both
financing and technical expertise in key sectors. The focus on
SMEs, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure development
aligns with Uzbekistan's broader strategy of fostering sustainable
economic growth, improving competitiveness, and increasing
integration into global markets.
