Uzbekistan expands rural infrastructure funding to reach 1.2 million people

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan reviewed the progress of its Rural Infrastructure Development Project during a conference in Tashkent.

The ministry worked with the World Bank Group and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to complete the first phase of the initiative between 2019 and 2026. This first phase used 100 million dollars from the International Development Association and 82 million dollars from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

These funds supported over 900 small-scale projects in 306 mahallas, which are local neighborhood communities, across five regions including Andijan and Fergana. The work included building or renovating roads, electricity and water networks, schools, and bridges. These improvements directly benefited approximately 1 million rural residents. The ministry is now starting a second phase with a budget of 320 million dollars. This new stage includes funding from the International Development Association, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Government of Uzbekistan.

The project will cover 296 mahallas in six regions. Officials expect the second phase to benefit 1.2 million people by 2031, including 600,000 women and 300,000 young people.