Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 6 April, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov, and Vice President of the World Bank Group for Europe and Central Asia Region Cyril Muller discussed issues of interaction through video conferencing between the Republic of Uzbekistan and international financial institutions, including the World Bank, as part of the country-wide cooperation platform.

The parties discussed promising joint measures aimed at protecting the population from the spread of coronavirus, supporting enterprises, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural producers and individual entrepreneurs. Opportunities and mechanisms for supporting the World Bank in mitigating the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on the socio-economic situation in Uzbekistan were also discussed.

Muller praised the timely and justified measures carried out under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to increase the level of social protection of the population and maintain economic activity in the country.

Cyril Muller informed that the World Bank intends to mobilize part of the funds of the Strategic Preparedness and Response Program (the total size of the global package of operational financing of the World Bank is US$14 billion) to support the anti-crisis program of Uzbekistan.

Currently, the issue of operational allocation of funds in the amount of US$1.2 billion is actively being worked out to finance the healthcare system, social protection institutions and institutions, and budget support. These funds will be in addition to the credit lines already approved in March 2020, intended to finance projects for the modernization of communal infrastructure and agricultural producers in the amount of US$700 million.

Following the video conference, Cyril Muller assured that the issue of providing financial support to Uzbekistan will be considered as a priority.

The parties also agreed to hold such videoconferences on a regular basis.