JICA Allocates US$25 Million to Ipak Yuli Bank to Support SMEs and Women Entrepreneurs

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 15 December, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a loan agreement with Ipak Yuli Bank (IYB), a joint-stock innovative commercial bank.

The event was attended by IYB’s Chairman and CEO Saidabror Saidokhmedov, the Chief Representative of JICA’s Uzbekistan office Yosibumi Bito, and other officials.

The US$25 million loan, co-financed with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is aimed at promoting financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by youth and women.

The project was highlighted in a joint statement following the Japan–Uzbekistan summit on 20 December.

Under the initiative, IYB will provide financing to MSMEs across the country, with at least 50% of JICA funds specifically allocated to enterprises led by women and young entrepreneurs.

The project also supports the “G7 2X Challenge: Financing for Women” initiative, which seeks to develop women’s leadership skills and expand their participation in entrepreneurship and the labor market.