Shavkat Mirziyoyev Meets with World Bank Vice President to Strengthen Strategic Cooperation

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, held a meeting with Antonella Bassani, Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia, to discuss ways to deepen strategic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the World Bank Group.

During the meeting, Bassani conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from World Bank President Ajay Banga to President Mirziyoyev. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the current high level of bilateral cooperation, highlighting its productive nature in recent years.

Uzbekistan has become one of the World Bank’s largest partners, with a project portfolio now exceeding $12 billion, following a significant expansion in recent years. The World Bank has been instrumental in supporting Uzbekistan’s reform efforts, aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of its economic and social sectors. Notably, in July, the World Bank’s regional representative office commenced operations in Tashkent, further enhancing cooperation.

Several priority areas for future collaboration were identified, including poverty reduction, transformation of state enterprises and banks, decarbonization, and supporting Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both sides emphasized the importance of urbanization programs, integrated regional development, and the modernization of energy and irrigation infrastructure. Support for the private sector was also recognized as a crucial aspect of future development.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on promoting regional projects, further cementing the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the World Bank.