BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 21
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will send an international consultant to Uzbekistan who, together with Uzbek partners, will start developing a feasibility study for a project in the Aral Sea region, Trend reports referring to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Benelux countries.
The mentioned issue was discussed during a videoconference meeting by the ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Benelux countries Dilyor Khakimov and the Chief Director of the EIB for Central Asia, Adam Bruun.
The head of the diplomatic mission of Uzbekistan noted that within the framework of the agreement on the implementation of a project in the Aral Sea region for the restoration and modernization of irrigation systems, the EIB, together with the Ministry of Water Resources and the State Forestry Committee of Uzbekistan, is carrying out preparatory work to develop a feasibility study for the development allocated loan in the amount of 100 million euros.
The EIB decided to send an international consultant to Uzbekistan at the expense of the non-profit organization ‘Forest for the Future Facility’, which, together with Uzbek partners, will start developing a feasibility study for the project.
It was noted that the project in the Aral Sea region is also important for the EIB in terms of an established partnership with the Asian Development Bank, which plans to finance a project for the construction of main water pipelines.
Headquartered in Luxembourg the European Investment Bank helps to achieve the goals of the European Union by lending to investment projects, mainly in the territory of the EU member states. EIB members are 28 EU countries.
In 2017, in Washington, Uzbekistan and the EIB signed a framework agreement establishing the legal basis for the bank's activities in the country, namely, the provision of financing and technical assistance.
From this time on, the EIB can support public and private sector projects in Uzbekistan in areas such as public infrastructure, energy, and energy efficiency.
The launch of the EIB's operations in Uzbekistan is supporting the implementation of the EU Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia. This Strategy reflects the growing importance of our region to the European Union and aims to strengthen ties between the European Union and neighboring countries by promoting prosperity, stability, and security.
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