TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 11. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $240 million loan to Uzbekistan for the reconstruction of 700 kilometers of rural roads, Trend reports.
As per data by ADB, the new investment project is aimed to make the rural road infrastructure safer and more resilient to climate change, as well as improve transport links and promote rural development.
"Since almost half of Uzbekistan's population, isolated from the sea by the two countries, lives in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood, connectivity is crucial," ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Eugenue Zhukov said.
He added that maintaining connectivity between rural communities, markets and services through safe, reliable and climate-resilient rural roads is essential to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic development.
The main focus of the investment project will be on local and inter-farm rural roads in 12 regions and the Uzbek Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Uzbekistan accounts for 17 percent of the ADB projects in the Central and Western Asia areas, placing it second in the region based on this criterion.
As of 10 months of 2023, Uzbekistan has entered into agreements with ADB for 25 projects totaling approximately $3.5 billion.
Overall, since having become a member of the ADB in 1995, the bank has provided loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $10.8 billion to the country.
