15.05.20
The world Bank has provided more than $370 million to Central Asian countries to fight coronavirus (COVID-19). This is reported by the World Bank representative office in Uzbekistan.
"The World Bank quickly mobilized funds to counter the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the governments of Central Asian States, we are also reviewing our investment portfolio in the region totaling $9.7 billion to provide additional funds to strengthen health systems and mitigate the economic consequences of COVID-19 for these countries, " said World Bank regional Director for Central Asia Lilia Burunchuk during an online briefing today.
The funds provided will be used for the purchase of important medical equipment, including test kits, laboratory reagents, equipment for intensive care units, as well as personal protective equipment for medical workers.
As of May 14, 2020, the World Bank has provided Uzbekistan with $95 million, which will be used to improve the national health system, as well as support the poor affected by the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic. The World Bank also provided $200 million to provide additional funds to the budget against the backdrop of a significant reduction in tax revenues and unexpected increases in expenditures as part of the government's anti-crisis program to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. In addition, $17 million was allocated as part of a project to improve the emergency medical care system in Uzbekistan, which will allow the purchase of ventilators, x-ray machines, infusion pumps, testing kits, and equipment for monitoring the health of infected patients.
