The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade held a video-conference to present the Dustlik Order to Suma Chakrabarti, who served as President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) from July 2012 to July 2020.

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan S. Umurzakov held the ceremony on behalf of the Government of the Republic.­

The relevant Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted the merits of Suma Chakrabarti 'in the establishment of strategic partnerships and expansion of multifaceted cooperation' between Uzbekistan and the EBRD.

Besides, the document emphasized the contribution of S. Chakrabarti 'to increase the efficiency of the program of social and commercial reforms, as well as to intensify the processes of creating a favorable investment climate and business environment in the Republic'.

During the ceremony, S. Chakrabarti was specially thanked for the support in consistent reforms in Uzbekistan, including assistance in drafting a law on public-private partnerships and a strategy for the development of the capital market, as well as reformation of the banking sector and state-owned enterprises, etc.

The participants noted that S. Chakrabarti assisted in the EBRD's becoming one of the key partners of Uzbekistan just for three years. The portfolio of joint projects increased from zero to EURO 1.2 billion. Currently, it covers a wide range of priority areas, including energy, infrastructure construction, financing of small and medium-sized business projects. Moreover, there is the development of a portfolio of projects worth more than EURO 1 billion.

In turn, S. Chakrabarti said: 'It is a great honor to receive such an award from the President of Uzbekistan, and I am extremely flattered that the successes achieved during our cooperation was so highly appreciated by the Head of State. From the very beginning of our active work in Uzbekistan, I was firmly convinced of the great economic potential of this country. Currently, we see the results of our efforts and I am glad to realize that I was not mistaken in my opinion. I’m sure that I will continue to cooperate with Uzbekistan, even after terminating from the head of the EBRD'.

After the ceremony, the participants expressed their hope for the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EBRD by maintaining the achieved trust and partnership.