The OPEC Fund for International Development and Uzbekistan signed a framework partnership agreement covering the period 2024-2029, Trend reported.
According to the agreement, $500 million will be allocated to support the country’s sustainable development programme. The OPEC Fund will also provide a $20 million loan for a government project to develop preschool education. This project involves the establishment of 200 kindergartens for about 30,000 children across Uzbekistan. The project is co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank and private sponsors.
Abdulhamid Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Foundation, emphasised the importance of developing a modern pre-school education system for future economic growth and increasing human potential.
To date, the OPEC Fund has provided loans totalling $760 million to support nearly 30 projects in Uzbekistan, covering both the public and private sectors. About one-third of the financing is directed towards improving water supply and sanitation.