The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoev received at the government headquarters in Tashkent, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDBG) and the accompanying delegation.
H.E. Mr. Mirziyoev expressed during the audience his country's appreciation for the important role played by IDBG in support of development plans in the member countries, and its contribution in financing a number of important infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan, particularly in the education sector.
IDB, President Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, emphasized the Bank's Group keenness on promoting cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan, and that his visit to Tashkent comes in this framework.
Dr. Ali touched also on the Bank’s role in strengthening cooperation between member countries and the importance of implementing the decisions of the 37th session of the OIC Foreign Ministers decisions in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, including their decisions on enhancing cooperation among OIC member countries especially those from Central Asia Region.
Dr, Ali also met with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, IDB Governor for Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. E. Ganiyev.
The meeting elaborated on IDB contribution in the second phase of the construction and equipping of schools in various areas of Uzbekistan.
A technical team from IDB is currently visiting Uzbekistan to determine the Bank’s participation in financing part of the international 1500 km. highway linking Almaty, Kazakhstan – Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic – Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This Highway is one of the major transport routes which will foster economic integration and trade among the three countries as well as Central Asia Region countries.
The Republic of Uzbekistan joined the Islamic Development Bank in September 2003 in the wake of independence from the former Soviet Union. The total funds approved by IDB Group for the Republic of Uzbekistan stands at ( US$ 344) million, including contribution in financing 31 development projects and operations in the sectors of agriculture, water, energy and transportation, as well as providing lines of credit to a number of banks for financing SMEs in Uzbekistan.