On 31 January the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade hosted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Republic of Uzbekistan on holding the 32nd Annual Meeting of the EBRD Board of Governors in Samarkand on 16-18 May this year.

Director general of the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Vafayev took part in the event representing the Uzbek side, and EBRD Secretary General Kazuhiko Koguchi, who is in Uzbekistan on an official visit, took part in the event representing the Bank.

The signed document defines the specific organizational tasks of each party in the preparation, holding and coverage of the Annual Meeting of the EBRD and the Business Forum, which is planned to be attended by more than 1,500 guests from 73 member states of the Bank. Holding an event of this level is expected to have a positive impact on improving the international image of Uzbekistan in world investment circles, as well as provide an opportunity for representatives of the business community to get thoroughly acquainted with the economic, investment and industrial potential, rich culture of our country.

The central theme of the event will be investing in ensuring the sustainability of the economy. During the meeting, panel discussions are planned to be held on the development of measures to overcome the challenges faced by the Bank's member countries. The business forum will include expert discussions on the macroeconomic situation, the role of the private sector and the state in the development of renewable energy sources, interregional ties, economic integration, food security, digitalization and many other issues.

For reference: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was established on March 28, 1991. The headquarters is located in London. Uzbekistan has been a member of the Bank since April 30, 1992. The Bank's representative office was opened in Tashkent in May 1993. The office in Andijan – in October 2019, in Urgench – in June 2021.

The application for holding the EBRD meeting in Samarkand was submitted by Uzbekistan in 2019. In the same year, the EBRD delegation positively assessed the possibilities of holding an Annual Meeting in our country.