Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 11 May, a meeting with representatives of the "Lazard Frères SAS" (Lazard) investment bank was held at the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction.

It was attended by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov, Minister of Finance Timur Ishmetov, First Deputy Minister of Finance Omonullo Nasritdinkhodjaev, Deputy Minister of Finance Odilbek Isakov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Bobur Abdinazarov, Chairman of the “Uzbekistan Airports” JSC Ranokhon Juraeva, as well as executive director of the investment bank Lazard for the regions of Central and Eastern Europe, CIS, Greece and Turkey Bozidar Djelic and Managing Director David Gadmer.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed issues of interaction on the transformation of state banks, the provision of financial, legal and consultancy services within the framework of economic platforms.

As part of this event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the investment bank "Lazard" and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The memorandum also provides for assistance in the transformation of state-owned enterprises, public debt management, capital market development and acceleration of public-private partnerships projects.

Lazard Ltd (formerly known as Lazard Frères & Co.) is a financial advisor and asset management firm that deals with investment banking and provides other financial services, mainly with institutional clients. It is one of the world’s largest independent investment banks with headquarters in New York, Paris and London.

Lazard was founded in 1848 and operates in more than 40 cities in 25 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, Australia, and Central and South America. The firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, capital restructuring and structure, capital raising and corporate finance, and asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals.