Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2 September 2021 - The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the 2021 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.

The meeting was attended by Finance, Development, Economy and Cooperation Ministers from IsDB member countries, in addition to diplomatic corps and many regional and international organizations.

H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a keynote speech welcoming the guests of the IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Uzbekistan and commended the excellent relations between the country and IsDB.

"We are grateful to the Islamic Development Bank for its timely support of our anti-crisis measures. To this day, the Bank has approved 30 major investment projects in Uzbekistan in health, education, agriculture, water supply, drinking water supply, road infrastructure and construction of affordable housing in rural areas worth over US$ 2.5 billion” he said.

He also extended his appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank Group and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for signing a new project in support of  their efforts to reduce poverty and promote entrepreneurship - the Economic Empowerment  Fund for Uzbekistan (EEFU), emphasizing that the US$ 500 million fund will create the necessary conditions to engage youth, women, and rural population in entrepreneurship.

H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also proposed to develop a CONCEPT for the formation of a 'Green Corridor - from West Africa to East Asia' trade and economic space, noting that this is particularly important in times of pandemic, and that the implementation of the concept will serve to expand bilateral trade and investment ties, sustainable growth and economic integration of our countries.

He stressed that there is a great need for more funding for investment and infrastructure programs of regional importance to further strengthen the interaction between IsDB Group member countries.