Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 8 April, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov discussed the issues of cooperation with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Bandar Hajjar in order to ensure effective protection population in the context of the spread of coronavirus, strengthening the capacity of the healthcare system of Uzbekistan to timely diagnose and treat infected people, as well as mitigate the impact of the global pandemic on Socioeconomic development.

IDB President Bandar Hajjar noted that decisive and ambitious measures taken under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the country to ensure the protection of public health and maintain economic activity, cause great respect.

Hajjar said that IDB is ready to provide comprehensive support to Uzbekistan, using the capabilities of the “Strategic Readiness and Response Package” (the total size of the “Package” is US$2.3 billion). This resource was created to assist the Bank's member countries in the context of a global pandemic.

He noted that IDB, in particular, allocated funds in the amount of US$17 million from the current loan portfolio of the Bank in Uzbekistan to finance urgent purchases of medical equipment and products for new clinics created to combat coronavirus.

Mr. Hajjar also expressed his readiness to provide additional support to Uzbekistan through the redirection of IDB savings of US$46 million for infrastructure projects to equip new clinics for patients infected with coronavirus.

The IDB President assured that the Bank is ready to expand assistance in this direction, including using the capabilities of its subsidiaries, such as the International Islamic Trade and Finance Corporation, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, and others.

As a result of the videoconference, the parties agreed to work out additional financing from the IDB for the needs of the healthcare system and support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Uzbekistan for a total amount of more than US$140 million.