Tashkent: Uzbekistan is considering the introduction of electric buses in Samarkand, Namangan, and Nukus in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aiming to enhance regional transportation infrastructures.

According to Trend News Agency, the discussion about the electric buses took place during a recent meeting between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhamov and EBRD Vice President for Banking Matteo Patroni. The meeting also covered a range of prospective projects for 2024-2025, including the expansion of a tram network in Samarkand, which highlights the nation’s commitment to improving public transport facilities and reducing environmental impact.

Patroni highlighted the significant role of transport projects in the EBRD’s portfolio and expressed the bank’s interest in deepening its cooperation with Uzbekistan, particularly in the railway sector. The discussion also included plans for a toll road between Tashkent and Samarkand, with both parties agreeing
to accelerate the technical and economic justification process for the project.

The EBRD has been a major investor in Uzbekistan since April 1992, focusing on enhancing the investment climate, promoting media freedom, supporting women’s entrepreneurship, and assisting the country’s transition to a “green” economy. With an investment of 4.9 billion euros across 164 projects in the country, the EBRD continues to play a crucial role in Uzbekistan’s economic development.