ADB confirms support for Uzbek government's development, reform program
By Kamila Aliyeva
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) confirmed its support for the Uzbek government's development and reform program.
This became known following a four-day visit of ADB’s Vice President Wencai Zhang to Uzbekistan.
In the course of the visit, Zhang held meetings with a number of country’s top officials including Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, First Deputy Prime Minister Achilbay Ramatov, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the State Committee for Investments and ADB Governor Sukhrob Holmuradov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov.
He congratulated the government of Uzbekistan on bold and far-reaching state reforms to strengthen macroeconomic stability and sustainability, as well as to promote comprehensive and sustainable development.
“This is an important stage in the history of Uzbekistan,” Zhang said. “ADB appreciates long-standing partnership with Uzbekistan and shares the government's intention to ensure prosperity for the people of the country.”
ADB is preparing a new five-year Partnership Strategy with Uzbekistan to create a more solid foundation for comprehensive, diversified and sustainable economic growth, improved governance and institutional capacity, and to promote regional cooperation and connectivity.
The Partnership Strategy for 2019-2023 will be aimed at supporting the national development strategy and priorities of the government of Uzbekistan. ADB plans to mobilize more than $ 1 billion a year over the next three years to improve water supply and sanitation, develop transport infrastructure, produce and distribute energy, employment youth, create jobs in rural areas, expand access to modern health care, and support the government reform program in the field of improving economic governance and social protection.
Uzbekistan joined the ADB in August 1995. Since joining ADB, Uzbekistan has received 67 loans totaling $ 7 billion, including two loans to the private sector for a total of $ 225 million.
ADB also provided $ 6 million in equity investments, $ 218 million in guarantees and $ 83.6 million in technical assistance grants.
In 2018, ADB signed loans totaling $ 750 million to improve the efficiency of electricity generation and to support ongoing reforms through better management of the country's economy.
Since 2001, thanks to ADB projects, more than 4.5 million Uzbeks have gained access to water and sanitation services. Since 2011, the rural housing development program, funded by ADB, has provided affordable housing with modern infrastructure to over 41,000 families in Uzbekistan living in rural areas.
The ADB program in Uzbekistan has provided loans, grants and technical assistance to grow the country’s economy and improve the lives of people, particularly the poor, women, children and other vulnerable groups.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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