On July 13, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the World Bank delegation led by the Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller.

Warmly welcoming the guests, the Head of the state noted with deep satisfaction the dynamically developing partnership of Uzbekistan with the World Bank Group.

It was emphasized that this year’s fruitful meetings with the leadership of this authoritative international financial institution, including with the President of the bank Jim Yong Kim in May in Washington and the Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva in January in Tashkent, contributed to intensify contacts and identify new directions of interaction, as well as practical implementation of promising projects and programs for supporting socio-economic reforms in Uzbekistan.

Today, the portfolio of mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the World Bank includes 39 implemented projects and those that are being implemented with attraction of concessional financing for the amount of 4.4 billion dollars.

They cover such priority areas as modernization of energy, transport and communal infrastructure, introduction of advanced and energy efficient technologies, intensive development of agro-industrial complex, effective water resources management, improvement of the education and healthcare system and many others.

Currently, more than 20 new projects under the Partnership Program for the period up to 2020 are also being considered.

In addition, leading experts of the bank took an active part in development of the Concept of reforming the tax system of Uzbekistan. Activities are being carried out on forming a joint Economic Council.

At the meeting, issues of further expansion of multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the World Bank were discussed. Particular attention was paid to ensuring qualitative and timely implementation of investment projects, including on the basis of preparation of the Roadmap and improvement of professional skills of national staff.

The importance of further cooperation in the field of agriculture, civil aviation and renewable energy in the country was emphasized, as well as on promotion of meaningful joint projects in the Central Asian region.

Cyril Muller expressed deep gratitude to the Head of the state for the warm welcome and conveyed greetings and best wishes of the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.

The readiness of the bank to deepen the mutually beneficial partnership with Uzbekistan has been reaffirmed for supporting the ongoing large-scale reforms and transformations, as well as ensuring sustainable development of the country and the entire region.