BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 26. Uzbekistan and
the French Development Agency (AFD) have outlined an indicative
portfolio of 11 projects worth about 1.125 billion euros ($1.32
billion) for cooperation in 2027-2030, on Sept. 25 in Tashkent.


This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of
Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, following the seventh
annual consultations between the Uzbek government and AFD. The
Uzbek delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Investments,
Industry and Trade Shokhrukh Ghulomov, while AFD was represented by
Virginie Bleitrach, deputy director of the agency’s Eastern Europe,
Middle East and Asia Department.


The consultations focused on implementing agreements reached
following Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to
France in March 2025 and developing the countries’ strategic
partnership in development financing.


“An important priority at the current stage is to accelerate the
preparation of new initiatives, move projects from the concept
stage to financing and make wider use of flexible financial
instruments,” the Uzbek Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade
said.


AFD has approved 17 projects worth about 1.6 billion euros in
Uzbekistan since 2015. Its current portfolio includes 13 projects
worth 1.29 billion euros across energy, water supply and
sanitation, livestock, digitalization, finance and other
sectors.


Disbursements have reached nearly 1 billion euros, or about 78%
of the total value of signed agreements, according to the Uzbek
side.


The consultations also highlighted AFD Group’s broader approach
to cooperation. Alongside sovereign project financing through AFD,
Uzbekistan works with Proparco on private-sector development and
Expertise France on technical assistance. More than 55 million
euros in grants have been mobilized jointly with the European Union
and the French government.







Nine additional projects with a combined value of 604.2 million
euros are currently under preparation, officials said.


For 2027-2030, the sides identified energy transition and
decarbonization, water supply, agriculture, sustainable urban
development, private-sector support and public financial management
as priority areas.


The indicative 11-project portfolio includes initiatives to
modernize energy and transport infrastructure, develop cities,
improve irrigation and agriculture, advance the green economy and
expand non-sovereign financing.


Major projects include rehabilitation of the Tashkent-Samarkand
railway line and development of public transportation in the
capital.


The sides also agreed to accelerate work on projects at an
advanced preparation stage, including modernization of drinking
water systems in Kashkadarya region, reconstruction of the Suyenli
Canal in Karakalpakstan, projects in the Aral Sea region and
modernization of heating networks.


The agreements reached during the consultations were formalized
in a protocol and placed under joint monitoring. The eighth annual
consultations are scheduled to take place in France.