Uzbekistan is a key part of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) new initiatives on energy and digital integration in the region. This was announced by ADB President Masato Kanda on May 3 at the annual meeting in Samarkand, as reported by a Gazeta correspondent.
According to him, ADB support will be directed not only at infrastructure, but also at private sector development, social protection, and human capital. "Specifically, this includes regional cooperation and integration. Uzbekistan is a key part of the two initiatives I just mentioned — projects in the areas of energy and digital integration in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.
The ADB chief noted that the bank's assistance will aim to expand Uzbekistan's energy and digital connections with other countries. "Developing connections also helps reduce inequality and increase social inclusion by creating business opportunities and providing basic public services to people, including those in remote areas," Masato Kanda emphasized.
He also stated that beyond infrastructure projects, ADB intends to expand direct support for social protection and human capital development. "We will continue to strengthen our partnership with Uzbekistan across all areas to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and long-term development. Infrastructure will undoubtedly remain an important part of our activities. However, our core mission is to improve the lives of people, especially the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups," said the ADB president.
He was also asked about attracting international investors to Uzbekistan and ADB's future program in the country. "The priority for ADB is private sector development — this is truly our main task," he said. According to Masato Kanda, Uzbekistan's potential in this regard is "enormous." "The good news is that the country's president and ministers well understand this potential, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome," he emphasized.
The ADB head stressed the need to create a favorable environment to attract investors. "This includes many things, but first and foremost — regulation, transparency, and predictability, which are extremely important for investors," said Masato Kanda. He also highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure and human capital through joint efforts of the Uzbek government and ADB.
Kanda added that regional cooperation creates additional opportunities for private sector penetration and "attracting more capital by increasing market efficiency." "Thanks to the regional scale, more profitable investment destinations emerge. Therefore, we are optimistic about the prospects of strengthening the role of the private sector in Uzbekistan," said the ADB president.
At the Samarkand meeting, ADB announced the launch of two initiatives worth $70 billion until 2035. The funds are planned to be directed at integrating energy systems, developing cross-border electricity trade, digital corridors, data centers, and expanding internet access in the region.
Source: www.gazeta.uz