The World Bank has approved a $35 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan aimed at improving access to geospatial data for citizens and the private sector, in line with international standards, Gazeta.uz reports.
The Uzbek government will contribute an additional $5.7 million to the project. The initiative is expected to support the digitalization of public services and promote regional development.
According to the World Bank, rapid urbanization in Uzbekistan has resulted in more than 50% of the population now living in urban areas. This trend has placed increased pressure on land resources, basic infrastructure, and public services such as education, healthcare, and transportation, especially in major metropolitan areas.
The fast-paced growth of cities has led to a shortage of up-to-date geospatial data on land use and infrastructure. This lack of information hinders the government’s ability to effectively plan and manage urban development and limits the economic potential of citizens and businesses, the World Bank noted.
The private sector also faces challenges due to limited access to geospatial data, including information on land availability and the condition of key infrastructure such as transportation, water, and energy networks.
“The absence of detailed and current data reduces the investment attractiveness of regions, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to assess risks and identify promising locations for business ventures. This information gap erodes investor confidence and restricts private sector participation in key areas of the economy,” World Bank experts said.
To address this issue, the Uzbek government established a legal framework in 2021 for the development of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The NSDI aims to enable informed planning and sustainable territorial development through transparent and efficient collection, storage, management, and sharing of geospatial data.
“While progress has been made in developing the NSDI, further improvements in related public services are needed,” said Tatiana Proskuryakova, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia. “Key priorities include enhancing data sharing between public institutions and the private sector, completing the cadastral base maps, creating a register of utility networks, and strengthening the capacity of regional authorities in geospatial data management.”
The project, to be implemented by the Agency for Cadastre under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance through 2030, will modernize the information system for registering cadastres and property rights (UZKAD), create a national address register, and improve data exchange between government bodies and with the private sector.
In addition, the project will pilot new mapping technologies in Samarkand, including the creation of a 3D city model and a register of utility networks. These tools are expected to help local authorities manage urban development more effectively and prepare for climate-related natural disasters.
The initiative will also include the establishment of three new data centers, development of a digital architecture and geospatial portal for the NSDI, and the installation of 80 new continuously operating GPS reference stations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 20, 2025