How was the annual meeting of the EBRD in Samarkand

The annual meeting and business forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was held in Samarkand from May 16 to 18. The theme of the 32nd meeting was “Investing in Viability”.

The Forum annually gathers officials, heads of the financial and business sectors, representatives of the world media and public organizations.

One of the main events of the new meeting was a panel session on the Keeping up with digital communication, where the speakers were: EBRD Head of Digital Technology Jacek Kubas, Eastern Europe Divisional President at Mastercard Yasemin Bedir, HP Managing Director Bernhard Fauser, CEO at Mobicom Corporation Koji Kurushima, First Deputy Director of IT Park Uzbekistan Abdulahad Kuchkarov, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission Miriam Ferrand and others.

Various themes related to digital technologies, innovations and the development of the Eastern European region were discussed at the session. Panellists, including speakers and moderators, contributed and shared their expert opinions.

Among the themes discussed were:

• digital transformation in the banking sector, during which the speakers discussed the impact of digital technologies on the banking industry and the role of banks in the digital development of the regionʼs economy;
• financial inclusion and electronic payments, where participants discussed the role of electronic payments and innovative financial solutions in ensuring financial inclusion for the population and business development;
• development of the digital ecosystem – the need to create and develop a digital ecosystem, including government bodies, the private sector and educational institutions, was discussed to support innovation and stimulate economic growth;
• the role of the state and international organizations - the role of government bodies and international organizations, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in supporting the digital development of the region and financing innovative projects was discussed.

During the discussion, speakers and participants exchanged experiences, presented their research and offered recommendations for the development of digital technologies and innovations in the Eastern European region. This event allowed participants to better understand current trends and challenges in digital development and find ways to collaborate to achieve common goals.

Additionally, within the framework of the event, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Karimjonov, First Deputy Director of IT Park Abdulahad Kuchkarov and HP Managing Director Bernhard Fauser discussed the possibility of opening HP office in Uzbekistan, and the introduction of the HP LIFE program in Uzbekistan.

Recall that HP LIFE is a global learning program that gives people all over the world the opportunity to build skills for the future by providing access to free, affordable IT and business skills training courses in seven languages. It is an adaptable educational resource used on the group by trainers, educators, and mentors to enrich curricula, support business creation, and improve employability skills.