BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 5. Uzbekistan intends to expand strategic bilateral cooperation with the World Bank (WB) across several economic and social spheres, Trend reports via the bank.
World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Anna Bjerde recently visited Uzbekistan, as part of a broader trip to Central Asia. Ms.Bjerde met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as senior government officials, and beneficiaries of a World Bank-funded project that is helping improve rural infrastructure in Uzbekistan.
During her meeting with President Mirziyoyev, Ms. Bjerde discussed the results of 30 years of partnership between Uzbekistan and the World Bank, an anniversary which was celebrated in September this year.
President Mirziyoyev and Ms. Bjerde noted, in particular, the achievements of the stepped-up World Bank financial and advisory support to help Uzbekistan implement transformative economic and social reforms since 2017.
Ms. Bjerde also held talks with senior Uzbek government officials. In her meetings with counterparts, Ms. Bjerde discussed the implementation of the recently launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Uzbekistan for the next five years.
The CPF supports the authorities in developing the private sector to create new jobs and reduce poverty, improve human capital, build a green and sustainable economy, close gender gaps, and create conditions for wider citizen engagement.
The CPF is aligned with the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 and will help the authorities achieve the country's ambitious development goals.
Ms. Bjerde and counterparts also discussed the progress of the government’s reforms and World Bank support to reforming and privatizing state-owned enterprises and banks, modernizing agriculture, energy, financial and other strategic sectors, improving education, healthcare, and social protection services, developing transport connectivity, improving rural and urban infrastructure, empowering women, and improving the business and investment climate.
Discussions were also held around the upcoming Country Climate and Development Report that the World Bank is preparing for Uzbekistan.
