BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 25. We are in the process of developing of a new country strategy, which, once prepared and approved, will be a public document, Andi Aranitasi, Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) office in Uzbekistan told Trend in an exclusive interview.
"Following the reengagement with the country in late 2017, the EBRD approved its 5-year country strategy in 2018. It identified the following operational and strategic priorities for our work in Uzbekistan," he said.
According to Aranitasi, those priorities included the enhancement of competitiveness by strengthening the role of the private sector’s role in the economy, and also the promotion of green energy and resource solutions across sectors. The support for increased regional and international cooperation and integration has also been one of the pillars of the Bank's cooperation with Uzbekistan.
"The EBRD strategy for Uzbekistan recognized the need to strengthen the country’s path to reform, expand the role of civil society, provide greater freedom to mass media and promote women’s entrepreneurship. Our Bank continued working on the improvement of the investment climate in Uzbekistan by facilitating the activity of the Foreign Investors’ Council, which is serving as a platform for dialogue between foreign investors and the authorities fostering reforms," he said.
Aranitasi also added that the EBRD has also been providing support for Uzbekistan’s green transition. The Bank's investment is contributing to a long-term decarbonization plan that the EBRD and the government of Uzbekistan jointly developed and which aims to achieve a carbon neutral power sector by 2050.