Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 June, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov held a meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by the Bank’s President Odile Renaud-Basso.

The meeting was also attended by Hüseyin Özhan, EBRD Regional Director for Central Asia and Mongolia, Ilkhom Norkulov, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilhomjon Umurzakov, Deputy Minister, and other representatives of relevant ministries and agencies.

The parties discussed the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation, the implementation of joint initiatives, and priority areas for further engagement — with a particular focus on Uzbekistan’s ongoing economic transformation. Topics included sustainable economic growth, GDP dynamics, inflation control, and the progress of energy sector reforms.

Special attention was given to the privatization of state-owned banks and the results achieved so far, as well as efforts to stimulate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the development of the startup ecosystem and adoption of artificial intelligence solutions.

The discussions also covered modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure, and support for Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Key joint initiatives in the area of green growth were reviewed — including the supply of social facilities with renewable energy, the deployment of energy-efficient technologies, and the active involvement of the private sector in sustainable development. The sides also addressed public-private partnerships (PPPs) and financing in the housing sector.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of both parties’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and deepening dialogue across all areas discussed.