BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 8. Uzbekistan and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) have discussed expanding
cooperation on institutional development, human capital and
economic research, with a focus on strengthening the expertise of
government officials.
This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Economy
and Finance of Uzbekistan following a meeting between Deputy
Minister Akhadbek Khaydarov and an IMF delegation led by Takashi
Nagaoka, Director of the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the
Pacific, on August 6.
The sides reviewed promising areas of bilateral cooperation,
including stronger institutional collaboration, human capital
development and joint analytical research.
Particular attention was given to the Japan-IMF Scholarship
Program for Asia (JISPA), including its objectives and potential
benefits for employees of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Economy and
Finance.
Implemented jointly by the Government of Japan and the IMF,
JISPA is designed to develop highly qualified public-sector
specialists across the Asia-Pacific region. The program focuses on
economic policy, macroeconomic analysis, public finance and
institutional governance.
Under the program, participants can pursue master's and doctoral
degrees in economics, macroeconomics, public policy and public
finance at leading universities in Japan. The program combines
academic training with practical approaches to economic
policymaking and reform implementation.
"The program provides participants with advanced knowledge and
practical approaches to the development and implementation of
economic reforms," the ministry said.
Beyond academic training, the scholarship provides opportunities
for participants to exchange expertise with international
economists, academics and public-sector professionals. Such
exchanges are intended to strengthen analytical capabilities and
public administration skills.
The Uzbek ministry said graduates are expected to return to
public service and apply their expertise to economic policymaking,
financial stability and reforms aimed at supporting sustainable
economic growth.
The meeting concluded with the ministry and the IMF reaffirming
their commitment to expanding cooperation and jointly pursuing new
initiatives in the future.
