OREANDA-NEWS. May 20, 2009. The Export-Import Bank of Korea announced that the President of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Dongsoo Kim together with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Uzbekistan, Rustam Azimov signed a US10 million EDCF loan agreement for the Heart Surgery Center Medical Equipment Provision Project being implemented by the Uzbekistan government.

An MOU stating support of US18 million for a water supply and sewer project in the special economic zone of Navoi was also signed.

By providing the latest medical equipment to the Heart Surgery Center in the city of Tashkent, the Uzbekistan government hopes to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease as well as meet the public health needs of Uzbekistan.

Through early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, one of the leading causes of death in Uzbekistan, socioeconomic costs are anticipated to be reduced through lower mortality rates. The provision of the latest medical equipment and improved training is also expected to greatly elevate the capacity of medical personnel.

As a Korean manufacturer of medical equipment will be providing equipment for a field demanding the highest precision, the entry of Korean manufacturers into Uzbekistan and surrounding CIS regions are anticipated to accelerate.

The Navoi Special Economic Zone is the first special economic zone implemented by the Uzbekistan government and is aimed at fostering high value-added import substitution industries and promoting exports. The provision of EDCF loans to finance essential infrastructure projects within the Navoi Special Economic Zone is expected to contribute to the successful operation of the zone as well as promote the entry of Korean enterprises into related areas.

As of April 2009, the total amount of overseas economic cooperation funds (approved) by the Export-Import Bank of Korea to Uzbekistan in a total of 5 projects stands at US117 million.