Uzbekistan and World Bank Expand Cooperation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan and the World Bank Group have discussed further deepening bilateral cooperation during the Spring Meetings held in Washington. The Uzbek delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov.

The Spring Meetings, which traditionally serve as a platform for consultations on socio-economic development, brought together key officials on April 15–16. Kuchkarov held talks with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde, and Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani.

The discussions focused on Uzbekistan’s economic performance, ongoing reforms aimed at poverty reduction, job creation, private sector development, and modernization of key sectors supported by the World Bank.

Special attention was given to new projects. During the meeting with Bassani, the parties exchanged signed loan agreements, enabling the launch of new initiatives with financial and technical support from the World Bank.

Among them is a program to develop the electricity market and integrate power systems in Central Asia, which includes the creation of a regional electricity market, expansion of transmission capacity, and integration of renewable energy sources. The first phase of the project, involving Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, is valued at over US$140 million.

A second project aims to expand access to finance for businesses, valued at US$100 million, expected to provide credit support to around 7,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises while attracting private investment.

Another initiative, worth US$200 million, focuses on improving transport connectivity, including infrastructure upgrades in the Surkhandarya region and broader transport sector reforms.

Additional plans include a US$10.6 million grant-funded project to establish a system for detecting and reducing gas leaks, aimed at cutting losses in an outdated transmission system and reducing methane emissions.

As of 1 April 2026, the World Bank portfolio in Uzbekistan comprises 27 projects with total commitments of US$5.6 billion, covering agriculture, infrastructure, energy, transport, healthcare, education, and social protection.

Officials noted that cooperation with the World Bank remains a key driver of macroeconomic reforms and sustainable development in Uzbekistan.