00:02Investment activity is accelerating, with new funding targeting energy, infrastructure and private business.
00:09The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is expanding its presence in Uzbekistan,
00:14focusing on sectors from energy and transport to retail and manufacturing.
00:19We're very focused on, I would say, three things.
00:22First of all, the energy transition and the infrastructure projects associated with that.
00:27And then secondly, we've got a lot going on in terms of SMEs and middle market companies helping to develop
00:34employment, to do training.
00:36And third, we're doing some very important policy work, particularly with the government on capital markets development,
00:43capital markets reform, privatization and governance.
00:47The strategy is already translating into deals.
00:50The bank is providing 8.6 million euros to retailer Technomart, while up to 14.2 million euros is going
00:58to beverage producer Uskarlsberg to expand production and improve efficiency.
01:03The government is to be commended for their fiscal discipline.
01:06They run a very, very well-developed fiscal program, and so the borrowing levels are very low relative to many
01:16countries.
01:17Of course, the reserves are very attractive in the country today.
01:22So, I think that basic fiscal climate is quite attractive for international investors.
01:28More than 118 projects are currently active, with further investments planned in energy, infrastructure and industry, alongside new financing models.
01:39At the same time, the bank is backing startups through its Star Venture program, supporting companies in digital banking, fintech
01:46and payments.
01:47We have two or three very significant renewable energy projects that we're working on in the country.
01:56And then, as I was saying, for example, we have a very exciting program called Star Ventures, where we're supporting
02:04entrepreneurial companies, particularly in the technology area, that are developing.
02:09The focus remains on private sector growth and long-term investment.
02:13To date, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has committed close to 5.9 billion euros to Uzbekistan across
02:21208 projects, largely supporting private enterprise.
02:25The country has consistently ranked as the largest recipient of bank financing in Central Asia over the past six years.
02:32Delbar Primva, Euronews Tashkent.
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