OREANDA-NEWS. December 30, 2008. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is planning to issue about US450 million to Uzbekistan in next three years.

The ADB and Uzbekistan are actively cooperating in the field of development of the railways network and automobile roads. To develop the main road, which is part of the Central Asian regional transport corridor, the ADB has already provided over US75 million to Uzbekistan. These funds were used for development of the 1,204-km-long road Guzar-Bukhara-Nukus-Beyneu, which links the country with Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Understanding that the major part of cargo transportation in the country is made by railway, the ADB supported the efforts of the government and provided two loans worth a total of US140 million for the development of the railway sector, UzA reported.

In December 2008, the ADB provided a loan of US100 million for improvement of water resources management and state of lands in Andijan, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand and Ferghana regions. The project envisages recovery of 150 km of channels, over 500 lm of collector and drainage constructions, and reconstruction of 8 pump stations irrigating 150,000 ha of lands in Ferghana and Zarafshan valleys. The approximate period of the project implementation is six years. The loan agreement is expected to be signed in early 2009.

Many projects implemented jointly with the ADB in the economic sectors and social sphere have already started giving significant results. Thus, the ADB project on water supply and sanitary in Kashkadarya and Navoi regions will improve the conditions in almost 170 settlements. The project started in 2006 and should end in 2010.

During 12 years of cooperation, the ADB provided 26 loans to Uzbekistan worth a total of over US1 billion. Currently, 16 loans worth US600 million are being used for investment projects in agriculture, transport infrastructure, water supply, educational reforms, as well as small business and entrepreneurship.