The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) aims at long-term cooperation with Uzbekistan, Natalia Khanjenkova, managing director for Central Asia and Russia at the EBRD, said.
It was previously reported that an EBRD delegation headed by Khanjenkova arrived in Tashkent on February 7, to discuss cooperation prospects.
“On the basis of consultations with the government of Uzbekistan, we will identify specific areas of the Uzbek economy where the EBRD, within its capabilities, could invest,” she said after talks with the country’s Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.
At this stage, priority areas for cooperation are support for small and medium-sized businesses and improvement of business environment in the country.
Khanjenkova noted that the parties intended not to confine themselves to traditional sectors of the economy and look for new, innovative areas.
“Modern conditions allow us taking a new view of the state and prospects of cooperation. We seek long-term cooperation with Uzbekistan in areas of mutual interest,” she said.
She noted that the visit of the EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti would help expand the EBRD-Uzbekistan partnership.
Uzbekistan joined the EBRD in 1992. According to the EBRD, the bank invested almost 900 million euros in the country and implemented about 55 projects in energy, entrepreneurship, transportation, construction, development of mineral resources, etc. (Trend/Business World Magazine)
