EBRD ready to allocate $2–3 billion to Uzbekistan's electrical engineering industry

EBRD's readiness and tasks for companies

On November 9, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with investors and entrepreneurs of the electrical engineering industry, Spot reported. One of the key topics was financing: the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expressed its readiness to allocate $2–3 billion in addition to the $80 million already provided to local companies for their projects. This is a notable expansion of available funds: whereas previously the discussion concerned targeted support for individual enterprises, a large-scale financing line for an entire industry is now being discussed.

Preparing to work with international markets

According to the discussion's intent, the additional funds should be accompanied by changes to the companies themselves. The President called for expanding the experience of companies such as Artikul Aziya, Maxcopper, Techno Cable Group, Vades and Andijon Kabel in working with foreign donors; the task is to prepare industry companies to operate on international financial markets. The state will meanwhile assume part of the costs: expenses for companies' transformation and for engaging international consultants will be reimbursed, and the Trade Development Company will allocate up to $50,000 to each company for these purposes.

Personnel: from practice to 'a thousand engineers'

The second main topic of the meeting was engineering education. The decisive role of engineers and designers with modern knowledge in producing high value-added products was emphasized. Already, 50 students are doing internships at NURA Electric under a dual education program, which the President noted for implementing the developments of design and process engineers. Another 20 students and researchers from technical universities are studying at electronics enterprises in South Korea, and the program will soon be expanded to 100 people.

What will be launched from 2027

Starting in 2027, the 'One Thousand Design Engineers' program will be launched: specialists from local enterprises will upgrade their qualifications in Korea, Japan, China, Turkey and European countries. In parallel, plans call for attracting highly qualified compatriots working at reputable foreign companies — they are to be provided with decent working conditions and salaries in Uzbekistan. Inha University, ToshTech, New Uzbekistan University and other universities will launch joint programs for training process engineers with foreign universities.

Context

The meeting took place against the backdrop of another international step by the industry: as Spot previously wrote, from 2027 Uzbekistan will become a permanent member of the International Electrotechnical Commission. Thus, 2027 is marked in the discussions as the launch point for several initiatives at once — the personnel program and full membership in the commission — however, at this point these are announced plans rather than adopted and implemented measures; the details of the EBRD financing (terms, timelines, recipients) are not disclosed in the report.