Xiaoyu Zhao arrived in Uzbekistan to attend the international conference “Modern Housing Construction as an Engine of Integrated Development and Transformation of Rural Areas, Improvement of Living Conditions of the Population”.

Uzbek President, welcoming the guest, said that Uzbekistan considers the ADB as a key strategic partner on development, UzA reported.

As of 1 April 2013, the ADB approved 48 loan packages for US$13.5 billion to Uzbekistan, of which US$4.5 billion fell to share of the resources of the bank. ADB is one of leading international institutions on current loan portfolio. In 2012, the ADB approved allocation of US$876 million to Uzbekistan. This year, the bank will consider allocation of US$837 million to Uzbekistan.

Currently, Uzbekistan and the ADB are working on creation of 100 megawatt solar power station in Samarkand. The ADB allocated resources to develop feasibility study of the project.

The joint projects cover such areas as transport and infrastructure, agriculture, general and secondary special, professional education, communal services, small and private businesses, construction of housing, modernization of generating capacities.

The ADB also provides finances for US$500 million to implement complex programme on development of housing in Uzbekistan. In the result of the project, over 23,000 modern houses, 70,000 new jobs and 700 social infrastructure objects were created.

Xiaoyu Zhao underlined that the programme on construction of housing in rural areas is a unique and the model, which has analogues, should be studied.

At the talks, the sides exchanged opinion on further development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the ADB. Xiaoyu Zhao expressed his gratitude to the Uzbek President for hospitality and organization of such important conference.