At the CA-China summit in Xi’an, the President of Uzbekistan proposed aligning the national development strategies of the six countries, creating a “new economic dialogue”, boosting interconnectivity and doubling trade with China by 2030.
President of Uzbekistan met with his Chinese counterpart in Xi’an to discuss bilateral cooperation. The two leaders adopted a program for the development of a comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era between the two countries for 2023−2027 and signed 41 documents, covering various areas.
The EU, the AFD and the government of Uzbekistan signed an agreement to support and finance the country’s strategy for transition to a green economy by 2030.
The EBRD will provide Uzbekistan Airports with up to €28 million to upgrade its fleet of special equipment at Uzbekistan’s international airports. In addition, the bank will provide a €1 million grant to optimise the company’s key business processes and its structural divisions.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided a $19.3 million loan to ACWA Power Wind Karatau to build a 100 MW wind farm in Nukus, Karakalpakstan.
Samarkand became the first city in Uzbekistan to join the EBRD’s Green Cities programme. The Bank is providing the city with a $49 million loan for the purchase and deployment of up to 100 electric buses.
Mastercard announced the official opening of its first representative office in Uzbekistan. The company also signed a MoU with the EBRD to increase digital opportunities for small business owners, especially women.
Sergei Guriyev warned that Central Asian countries could face a major threat to their economic growth as Europe tightens sanctions on Russia and shuts the loopholes that allow it to evade them. He also said that GDP growth based on military production does not improve living standards.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Chief Economist Beata Javorcik and Regional Economist Eric Livny told Gazeta.uz about the new threats to the economy, the successful strategies for attracting investment and the significance of public support for reform.
Central Asian economies have proven resilient to adverse geopolitical headwinds. The EBRD forecasts that the region’s economies will grow by at least 5.2% on average in 2023 and by around 5.4% in 2024.
The President of Uzbekistan, speaking at an EBRD forum in Samarkand, outlined priority areas of cooperation with the bank, such as reducing poverty, developing a green economy, and increasing PPPs in various sectors, including infrastructure, health, education, transport and ecology.
The IMF says that the economies of Central Asia and the Caucasus were resilient and grew in 2022 despite various shocks, but the growth is expected to slow in 2023, and the region’s outlook is strongly influenced by external factors.
A poverty reduction programme based on China’s experience (with improved road and other infrastructure) is being implemented in 14 districts of Uzbekistan, including the Chilanzar district of Tashkent. Starting next year, the programme could cover the whole country.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a new $1 billion programme “20,000 entrepreneurs — 500,000 qualified specialists”. The programme will provide entrepreneurs who train and employ poor citizens with loans, tax and customs preferences, infrastructure and land. The programme will start on June 1.
All five political parties in Uzbekistan received permission from the Central Election Commission to participate in the early presidential elections scheduled on July 9.
The Democratic Party of Uzbekistan Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) announced that it would not run its own candidate in the upcoming presidential election and instead support the incumbent head of the state Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was nominated by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDep).
Ulugbek Rozukulov, head of Uzavtosanoat, and Akylbek Japarov, chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, launched the construction of the Altyn Tulpar Unaa Kurulush passenger car and commercial vehicle assembly plant in Chui region.
The Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDEP) nominates Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the incumbent head of state, as a presidential candidate.
At a meeting on energy supply in Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the expected rise in electricity consumption during the summer period. He criticised hokims and the Energy Minister for failing to calculate expected load coverage.
The Adolat Social Democratic Party nominates Robakhon Makhmudova, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court, as a presidential candidate on July 9 elections. Since judges have no right to engage in political activities, the Supreme Qualification Collegium of Judges suspended her judicial powers.
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