AKIPRESS.COM - President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia Antonella Bassani, UzA reports.

The parties discussed issues of further enhancing strategic cooperation with the World Bank Group. They noted the current high level and fruitful nature of bilateral cooperation.

Uzbekistan has become one of the largest partners of the bank in recent years. The project portfolio has increased several times and currently exceeds $12 billion.

The World Bank supports the implementation of necessary reforms to ensure the sustainability of economic and social sectors. In July this year, the bank's regional representative office began operating in Tashkent.

Combating poverty, transforming state enterprises and banks, decarbonization, supporting accession to the WTO, and others were identified as priorities for further enhancing the partnership.

Particular attention was paid to urbanization programs and integrated regional development, energy and irrigation infrastructure modernization, and private sector support.

The sides also exchanged views on promoting regional projects.