This week, a delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov, is participating in The World Bank Group’s Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. They provide a platform for numerous meetings and consultations with WBG’s client countries on a wide range of development challenges and its support in addressing them.

On April 15–16, Mr. Kuchkarov held a series of productive meetings with WBG President Ajay Banga, World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde, and World Bank Regional Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani.

The parties discussed Uzbekistan’s economic performance, recent economic and social reforms aimed at reducing poverty, creating jobs, and developing the private sector, as well as the government’s efforts to modernize key sectors with WBG support.

During the meeting between Jamshid Kuchkarov and Antonella Bassani, the parties exchanged signed loan agreements, paving the way for the implementation of new projects approved in recent months with World Bank financial and technical support. These include:

The Regional Electricity Market Interconnectivity and Trade (REMIT) Program will help create Central Asia’s first regional electricity market, increase electricity trade, expand transmission capacity, and lay the groundwork for large-scale renewable energy integration. Over $140 million will be allocated to Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan for the program’s first phase. http://wrld.bg/btTV50Y1u7M

The Access to Finance for Jobs and Growth (FINGROW) Project ($100 million) will expand access to credit for 7,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan, as well as help attract private investment into the equity of selected private enterprises. http://wrld.bg/JONb50XK3oK

The Connectivity and Transport Sector Improvement Project ($200 million) will contribute to developing transport infrastructure in Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region and reforming the national transport sector. http://wrld.bg/k5CQ50YxB0B

The Uzbekistan Gas Leak Repair Facility Project (a $10.6 million grant from the Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership) will allow to reduce leaks in the country’s aging gas transmission system. http://wrld.bg/Hofp50YtXxh