Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) –– On 14 May, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov, in a video conference format, discussed with the president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun the current state of implementation of joint projects in Uzbekistan, as well as prospects for cooperation for mitigation of the consequences and negative impact on the economy of Uzbekistan of global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

During the dialogue, Jin Liqun announced the Bank’s firm intentions to accelerate the implementation of projects to support the health system of Uzbekistan, increase the potential of the private sector and develop basic infrastructure in the regions of the Republic. So, in particular, the AIIB together with the ADB developed a concept for a project to support the healthcare system and the sanitary-epidemiological service of Uzbekistan for a total of US$200 million.

Also, in order to support the sustainability of business entities and preserve jobs in the context of the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the Bank’s management plans to channel additional resources through the allocation of new credit lines to commercial banks of the Republic.

On behalf of the Government of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek side expressed appreciation to the Bank’s management for the approval by the AIIB Investment Committee last week of a special loan in the framework of the first stage of a large-scale project to modernize the infrastructure of roads of the Bukhara region in the amount of US$156 million (total amount of the project - US$1.3 billion).

It was also announced that the Bank would quickly complete the procedure for preparing and approving the provision of long-term soft loans for previously agreed projects for the reconstruction of roads, drainage systems, water and heat supply to settlements in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm Region, for a total amount of up to US$500 million.

As a result of the video conference, an agreement was reached on close and accelerated cooperation within the indicated areas of cooperation.