During the “Dialogue of Developing Countries” conference held on February 16, 2025, in Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) signed two agreements to provide loans totaling $299 million. These funds will be designated for projects in the education and transportation infrastructure sectors.

The first project, receiving $160.25 million in funding, will aim to develop inclusive education in Uzbekistan. As part of the SmartED program, plans include constructing 58 modern schools equipped with laboratory equipment, furniture, and digital infrastructure. The project also entails creating 2,431 new classrooms, developing new curricula with a shift to a competency-based approach, reforming teacher training and professional development systems, and enhancing mechanisms for student assessment and school efficiency. The initiative’s goal is to provide all students in the country with improved access to quality and inclusive education by 2026.

The second project will involve reconstructing 37 km of the A373 highway in the Syrdarya region, with an allocation of $138.8 million. The work will cover road sections passing through the Akaltyn, Mirzaabad, and Sardoba districts. The project is expected to reduce travel time by 50%—down to 30 minutes by 2030—decrease accident rates by 40%, and increase the road’s capacity. This, in turn, will contribute to the development of trade, tourism, and improved transportation integration both regionally and internationally.

The signing of these agreements underscores Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international financial institutions to implement strategically important projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its population and ensuring the country’s sustainable development.

Source: Gazeta.uz