Uzbekistan to draw over $512 million in grants through 2015
By Aynur Jafarova
Uzbekistan intends to attract more than $512 million in grants for 294 projects from 2013 to 2015.
A relevant decree, which envisions measures to draw technical assistance grants from donor countries, international and foreign governmental and non-governmental organizations in 2013-2015, was issued by Uzbekistan's government on March 29, 2013.
According to the decree, Uzbekistan previously agreed on 93 projects with donor countries and international organizations. The total cost of these projects will exceed $194 million of grant funds.
In particular, there are plans to attract funds for the projects in the fields of education, healthcare, technical equipment for the customs and the state border, agriculture and water resources, improvement of drinking water supply and sanitation, development of the economy, industry, financial markets and entrepreneurship, improvement of energy efficiency and promotion of renewable sources of energy.
In addition, the possibility of obtaining grants worth a total of nearly $158 million under 56 projects on education, advancing employees' skills and internships, the purchase of computer hardware and software development, healthcare, social welfare, agriculture and water resources, drinking water supply, environment, etc., is being discussed with potential donors.
Also, a list of the 145 most promising projects to the tune of $159.9 million, which was presented to donors for grant technical assistance, has been approved.
The Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers instructed relevant ministries to speed up work on all issues related to the financing of projects included in the program and to ensure appropriate and efficient use of the grant funds.