At the beginning of the meeting, the head of state congratulated the management and team of the bank on the successful holding of the annual meeting of the Board of Governors in Uzbekistan, which is attended by over 2.5 thousand delegates from more than 70 countries. Confidence was expressed that the ongoing event will become an important platform for a broad discussion and in-depth analysis of the prospects for the global economy, and the development of recommendations for its sustainable development.

The highest level of fruitful cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EBRD achieved in recent years was noted with particular satisfaction.

Since 2017, the bank has invested €3.3 billion in the country, 55% of the portfolio is in private sector projects. Uzbekistan is the EBRD’s leading partner in the region and is among the top five in terms of transaction volume. With the assistance and active participation of the bank, the first meeting of the Council of Foreign Investors was successfully held. Major transactions were implemented in the investment and banking and financial sectors. Experts from a leading financial institution support reforms in the field of the green economy, modernization of the public utilities and transport infrastructure, ecology and other priority areas.

The focus is on the preparation and implementation of a new long-term partnership strategy. Programs and projects to develop small and medium-sized businesses, support women’s entrepreneurship, privatize and increase the share of the private sector in the economy, introduce public-private partnership mechanisms, “green” and innovative technologies, as well as expand participation in the “Green cities”.

Ample opportunities were noted for supporting projects to deepen regional integration in Central Asia.

The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso, expressed her gratitude for the support and assistance in organizing and successfully holding the annual meeting of governors in Samarkand.

The readiness for the joint implementation of the new agenda of strategic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EBRD was emphasized as part of the program of irreversible reforms in our country.