The Central Asian country is making efforts to improve its investment climate after more than two decades of economic isolation. The closed, autarkic system viewed most foreign investments as a threat. That ended when Islam Karimov, who had led Uzbekistan since before the Soviet breakup, died in 2016.

Uzbekistan will move a step closer to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels by securing financing for one of the first private-sector renewable energy projects in the country, a 100-megawatt solar power plant near the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand.

The Central Asian country is making efforts to improve its business and investment climate after more than two decades of economic isolation.