On 23 October, the World Bank Country Office in Uzbekistan hosted consultations on new strategy. It was noted that new strategy was developed based on country in-depth analysis and Uzbekistan sector strategies.

Dinara Djoldosheva said that within the Country Partnership Framework for 2016-2020 it is planned to implement 25 projects or 5 projects each year. The financial envelope of new strategy makes up about US$4 billion. Major part of the resources will be used to development of infrastructure in Uzbekistan. The projects within the partnership framework will be financed due to resources of the IBRD and IDA.

Representative of the World Bank said that the strategy’s goal is job creation. She underlined that Uzbekistan annually creates about 1 million jobs and new Country Partnership Framework will assist Uzbekistan to create additional jobs.

At the same time, she said three key pillars of the Country Partnership Framework are agriculture competitiveness, public service delivery and skills, and private sector participation.

Within the first pillar, it is planned to diversify production of agriculture products in Uzbekistan with focus on production of high-liquid fruits and vegetables.

According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan receives US$1 billion from cotton-fibre exports and US$2 billion from exports of fruits and vegetables. At the same time, only 18% of agriculture lands used to production of fruits and vegetables.

It was underlined that the farmers and businesses of Uzbekistan should improve their efficiency and productivity as it will help to cut prime costs of the products.

It is worth to mention that the financial envelope of the Country Partnership Framework for 2008-2011 was US$500 million and 2012-2015 – US$1.973 million.