BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 18
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Uzbekistan and World Bank signed a financial agreement on the modernization of the national innovation system in Uzbekistan, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan.
On May 17 this year, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan with the Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde, who is in Uzbekistan on an official visit from May 14 to 18 as part of her first working tour to Central Asia.
It is reported that during the meeting a financial agreement was signed on the project "Modernization of the national innovation system in Uzbekistan". A concessional loan from the World Bank is allocated for the implementation of the project in the amount of $50 million.
It was noted that the new project, supported by the World Bank, will help the government develop a national innovation system that can function in a market economy. It will promote cooperation between government, research organizations and the private sector in the field of R&D (Research and development) and commercialization of scientific and innovative products and services.
In addition, the project will contribute to the conduct of international-class research in public research institutes (SRIs) and universities, and will also allow commercializing the results of their work.
Researchers from these organizations will be able to apply for grants that will finance the implementation of about 50 research and development studies, including joint projects with the participation of international researchers and the private sector.
In addition, local firms and companies will be able to receive about 30 grants to invest in start-up projects and in R&D of new or existing innovative products and services that are in demand in local and international markets.
Within the framework of the project, funds will be allocated for the modernization of the infrastructure and laboratories of individual research institutes, the list of which will be approved by the Ministry of Innovative Development after a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the relevant organizations.
According to the information, the World Bank is currently providing assistance to Uzbekistan through technical assistance and financing of 24 projects. They contribute to the implementation of important economic reforms, the development of agriculture, health care, education, water supply and sanitation, energy, transport, social protection systems, modernization of urban and rural infrastructure, as well as mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on health, the economy and citizens of the country.
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