European Investment Bank opens Central Asia office in Tashkent
TASHKENT. June 18 (Interfax) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has opened a regional office in Tashkent to represent the bank in Central Asia, local media reported.
EIB Vice President Marek Mora took part in the opening ceremony for the office. He said that the bank was growing its investment activity in Central Asia and expanding its project portfolio as part of the EU's Global Gateway initiative.
According to EIB data, the bank has been implementing projects in Central Asian countries since 2009, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The portfolio currently amounts to around 3 billion euros, part of which is linked to the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and other infrastructure projects.
The portfolio in Uzbekistan is estimated at around 1 billion euros and covers projects in the field of transport, climate initiatives, energy, digital infrastructure and critical raw materials.
Uzbek Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev wrote on social media that the opening of a regional EIB branch in Uzbekistan was "an important institutional step and a strong signal of trust in the reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as in the long-term development prospects of the whole region".
Khodjaev said that the bank's overall portfolio now included 14 projects aimed at providing financial and consulting support to Uzbekistan, with a total cost of around $952 million.
He said that he had met the deputy president of the EIB to discuss current projects, including the development of satellite internet in rural areas of Central Asia, the supply of satellite trains, the modernization of irrigation systems, the restoration of the Aral Sea basin, the development of transport corridors, hydroelectricity and the improvement of energy efficiency.
"The EIB is an important partner for Uzbekistan, not only in terms of mobilizing funding, but also as an institution supporting the green energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, stronger economic competitiveness and the development of the private sector," Khodjaev said.
