President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the Vice President of the World Bank.
The meeting discussed issues of supporting small and medium-sized businesses, reducing poverty, privatizing state enterprises, and expanding cooperation in the implementation of artificial intelligence.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation led by Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia at the World Bank, who was in the country to participate in the "Swiss Group" meeting of the Bank's founding states on June 29. The President's press service reported this.
Antonella Bassani conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes from World Bank President Ajay Banga to the head of state.
Issues of developing strategic cooperation with the World Bank Group on a broad scale in priority areas of structural reforms underway in New Uzbekistan were discussed.
It was noted with satisfaction that in recent years, bilateral relations and constructive partnership with this influential international financial institution have risen to an unprecedented level.
The high-level agreements reached with the World Bank President in New York in September last year are being consistently implemented.
It was noted that the portfolio of joint projects has exceeded $15 billion. The World Bank's regional office in Tashkent is operating successfully. New financing mechanisms are being effectively introduced.
The importance of thorough preparation for visits by the World Bank's senior leadership and joint events scheduled for this year was emphasized.
Plans to develop a new long-term Country Program covering the most fundamental areas of socio-economic development were supported.
Special attention was paid to expanding the use of World Bank Group financial instruments in supporting the development of small and medium-sized businesses, implementing measures to reduce poverty, advancing joint programs on privatization of state enterprises, and introducing artificial intelligence technologies into economic sectors.
Establishing close cooperation in financing the water management sector, developing human capital, and assisting in improving Uzbekistan's position in international rankings was also noted as one of the priority tasks.
