Deputy PM – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov met in Tokyo with the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka and discussed with him the implementation of joint projects and plans for the future.
According to the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT), during the dialogue, JICA’s contribution to the socio-economic development of Uzbekistan and the sustainable nature of cooperation under the Official Development Assistance Program were noted. Since the beginning of cooperation, the total amount of resources allocated by JICA for the implementation of projects in Uzbekistan amounted to more than $1.5 billion. In addition, $230 million was allocated in the form of grant support. The Agency’s current investment portfolio includes 8 projects worth $3.8 billion. Moreover, 5 projects worth $850 million are under discussion.
The parties considered each of the above projects in detail and outlined further steps for their accelerated implementation. The projects at the development stage were also subjected to a comprehensive analysis, as a result of which the parties were able to come to common positions on all issues. Particular attention was paid to projects in the areas of animal husbandry, energy and healthcare.
The Uzbek side welcomed the JICA initiative to introduce a mechanism for investment financing of the private sector in Uzbekistan, which provides for the allocation of funds for projects in the energy sector and support for small and medium-sized businesses.
Opportunities for expanding cooperation within the framework of the Training Scholarship Project (JDS), the implementation of which allows for professional training of personnel for state institutions of Uzbekistan, were also discussed.
As a result of the meeting, further steps were outlined to deepen multifaceted cooperation with JICA.
