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Deputy Prime Minister on Poverty Reduction, Privatization, and PPP Projects in Uzbekistan
Speaking on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Khodjaev spoke about economic reforms, public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and plans to reduce poverty in Uzbekistan, reports a Gazeta.uz correspondent.
According to him, complex geopolitical conditions, global economic instability, food and energy shortages, poverty, and environmental challenges are becoming increasingly pressing issues around the world.
He noted that Uzbekistan has been “rapidly implementing large-scale reforms and fundamental transformations” in recent years. “We pay special attention to economic liberalization and improving the quality of life and well-being of our people,” he said.
Khodjaev said that Uzbekistan’s GDP has doubled in recent years and surpassed $100 billion for the first time. The poverty rate dropped from 23% to 11% in four years. “This year we plan to reduce it to 9% and halve it by 2030,” he added.
Speaking on anti-poverty efforts, he said: “We are implementing a multidimensional poverty reduction program that includes expanding access to quality education and healthcare, improving housing conditions, strengthening social protection, and building infrastructure in the most remote areas.”
He cited Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, who called Uzbekistan’s mahalla system “a unique formula capable of lifting every family in need out of poverty.” “We have developed our own mahalla-level poverty reduction model based on leading international experience,” he added.
On education, Khodjaev stated: “Over the past eight years, preschool enrollment increased from 27% to 74%. We created 800,000 new school places. The number of universities surpassed 200, and higher education enrollment rose from 9% to 38%.”
He emphasized that Uzbekistan’s annual infrastructure development needs in energy, water, transport, IT, and other sectors total around 10% of GDP ($11.5 billion).
According to him, in cooperation with international financial institutions, including the ADB, Uzbekistan is actively involving the private sector in these areas.
“We have adopted a comprehensive PPP project implementation program worth over $30 billion until 2030. In the next five years, electricity, water, and gas distribution will be managed by private operators. Additionally, we build 100,000 apartment units each year,” he said.
Khodjaev emphasized that “the role of the ADB will be vital to achieving all these ambitious goals.”
“We highly value our strategic partnership with the ADB, whose financial support, policy advice, and technical assistance play a key role in accelerating reforms, fostering inclusive and sustainable development, and unlocking private sector-led growth potential,” he stressed.
He noted that 33 projects worth $4.4 billion are currently being implemented with ADB in the areas of infrastructure, energy, transport, water supply, and sustainable development. Since 2024, ADB has intensified its engagement in the region, aligning cooperation with the “Uzbekistan — 2030” strategy.
At the end of his speech, Khodjaev invited attendees to the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, to be held in Samarkand from May 3 to 7, 2026.
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