13.07.2020
On July 13, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov held talks with the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masatsugu Asakawa, via videoconference.
The dialogue was dedicated to the discussion of ongoing cooperation within the framework of measures taken by the Government of Uzbekistan to protect the population from the spread of coronavirus and minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on socio-economic development of the country.
During the conversation, Masatsugu Asakawa fully supported the measures taken in Uzbekistan to ensure qualitative and uninterrupted operation of the healthcare system, creation of special medical institutions and quarantine zones, provision of medical assistance and material support to the population, preservation of macroeconomic stability and stimulation of foreign economic activity in a pandemic.
A strong commitment was also expressed to provide further support to Uzbekistan in priority areas. In particular, funding will continue for measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, as well as to restore the destroyed infrastructure of Syrdarya region.
The ADB President noted that preparations are underway for the approval of a new loan in the amount of $100 million for modernization and equipping of the healthcare system and sanitary-epidemiological service of Uzbekistan. It is expected that this loan will be approved in early August this year. It was also announced that co-financing in the amount of $100 million will be attracted for the implementation of this project, from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The parties discussed the current state of joint projects in agriculture, water resources management, healthcare, education, energy, infrastructure construction and private sector development, as well as mechanisms for accelerating their implementation.
Following the negotiations, an agreement was reached to continue active cooperation within the framework of the current Cooperation Program with ADB and to begin the approval of a new Program for 2021-2023.
