20 Dec
Japan has pledged about 1.7 billion dollars' worth of yen loans to Uzbekistan to help the central Asian country's energy and agricultural sectors.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan announced the deal in a joint statement after their meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.
Abe said in the meeting that the two countries have a long history of friendly ties, and that Japan wants to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Mirziyoyev responded that he hopes to boost cooperation in various fields.
The statement said Japan will provide yen loans worth about 1.2 billion dollars for a new thermal power plant that uses natural gas.
About 300 million dollars will be supplied to repair thermal power plants, and about 200 million dollars will be given to help farmers purchase agricultural equipment.
After the meeting, Abe said that he wants to use the joint statement as a guide to strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries in all fields.
NHK
