WB invested $4.4 billion in Uzbekistan in three years

World Bank (WB) investments in Uzbekistan more than doubled over the past three years (as of June 2020) from $1.8 billion to $4.4 billion, the WB news agency said. WB notes that the World Bank country programme in Uzbekistan has become the second largest bank operation in Europe and Central Asia after Turkey. Currently, the program includes 23 projects that provide important support for the implementation of economic reforms, as well as the development of agriculture, health, education, water supply and sanitation systems, energy, transport, social protection, urban and rural infrastructure, the report said. It is also noted that given the unprecedented socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Uzbekistan, over the past few months, the World Bank has provided additional support to the government's efforts to counter the pandemic. So, in April and May of this year, the country received emergency funding totaling $295 million. These funds will be used to strengthen the health system, acquire vital medical equipment, support the poor and vulnerable people affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic, as well as cover unforeseen budget costs associated with the implementation of urgent anti-crisis measures, WB notes. The report emphasizes that in the coming months, the priority task of the World Bank will be to provide further maximum possible support to the government's efforts to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic for citizens and the economy of Uzbekistan.