The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Ministry of Finance’s PPP Agency of Uzbekistan, with support from the Government of Switzerland, are hosting a two-day round-table discussion to explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the energy and transport sectors in the country. 

The event is part of the government’s commitment to adopt new mechanisms to boost growth and open up opportunities for private investment, easing the burden on public finances. Participants discussed key issues and were presented case studies and lessons learned from PPP transactions in the region and around the world, focusing on the airport, energy, and road sectors. About 60 participants from ministries and agencies along with key stakeholders, attended. 

The initiative of IFC is part of the support for the Uzbek government’s ongoing reforms to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and the launch of PPP program in the country. IFC is currently helping the government of Uzbekistan structure a PPP to mobilize private sector experience and capital for the financing, construction, and operation of a 100-megawatt solar plant. IFC is also advising on a PPP to attract private investors to finance, equip, maintain, and operate several hemodialysis centers throughout the country.