About 3,000 delegates participated at the session, which took place on 1-4 May. Finance ministers, senior government officials, business leaders, academics, media and members of international organizations and civil society, were among the participants.

Speaking about regional cooperation, the ADB chief said the bank is cooperating with the Central Asian states in regional interaction in transport, trade and energy.

He said that creation of the Navoi Free Industrial and Economic Zone in Uzbekistan can be an example for effective activity.He added that the zone has huge potential to become largest regional transport and trade center.

ADB leader said: “We highly evaluate efforts of Uzbekistan in further improving transport communication in the region with the exit to global market and we will continue to support this initiative.”

The ADB is expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan on supporting reforms in the country on long-term bases. Within the 43rd ADB’s Annual Meeting in Tashkent, the ADB and Uzbekistan signed credit agreements for over US$1 billion.

Haruhiko Kuroda added that the ADB intends to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan in such key areas as micrfinancing of private sector, energy, road construction, education, which are important factors for sustainable development.