BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 10
By Ilkin Seyfaddini – Trend:
The Government of Uzbekistan held a videoconference with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Bandar Al Hajjar, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov discussed with Al Hajjar the issues of cooperation to ensure effective protection of Uzbekistan's population in the conditions of coronavirus pandemic.
Al Hajjar said the IDB is ready to provide comprehensive support to Uzbekistan, using the capabilities of the Strategic Preparedness and Response Package (total size of the package is $2.3 billion). This resource was created to assist the Bank's member countries in the face of the global pandemic.
He noted that the IDB, in particular, has directed funds in the amount of $17 million from the current portfolio of the Bank's loans in Uzbekistan to finance urgent purchases of medical equipment and products for new clinics, created to combat coronavirus.
Bandar Hajjar also expressed willingness to provide additional support to Uzbekistan through redirecting $46 million on infrastructure projects to equip new clinics for patients infected with coronavirus.
Following the videoconference, the sides agreed to work out additional financing from the IDB for the needs of healthcare system and support of small and medium businesses in Uzbekistan worth over $140 million.
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