BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 16. Uzbekistan and
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
discussed expanding cooperation in privatization, small business
financing, mortgage lending, public-private partnerships, energy
and transport during a meeting in Bangkok on October 15.
This was reflected in the statement by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of
Economy and Finance, following a meeting between Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov and
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso on the sidelines of the annual
meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World
Bank.
The discussions focused on Uzbekistan’s macroeconomic
developments, ongoing economic reforms and priority areas for
further cooperation with the EBRD.
Particular attention was given to the transformation and
privatization of state-owned enterprises and banks, as well as
related institutional reforms. Moreover, the parties discussed
improving support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), expanding their access to financing and developing new
institutional solutions.
In addition, the talks covered potential financial support for
the mortgage market, the development of public-private partnership
(PPP) mechanisms and the implementation of related projects.
Opportunities to expand cooperation in the energy and transport
sectors were also discussed.
The meeting was attended by EBRD First Vice President Greg
Guyett, EBRD Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone, Deputy
Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan Nodirbek Ochilov,
Adviser to the Minister of Economy and Finance Jasur Karshibayev,
and other officials.
The parties agreed to continue developing mutually beneficial
cooperation and maintain dialogue on the issues discussed.
