City like a pearl

City like a pearl

Mr. Loup Brefort, the World Bank Country Manager in Uzbekistan:

For the first time I visited Uzbekistan in 1994, when I participated in the World Bank mission as a specialist. This was quite long time ago. However, even that time, I found the city green and spacious: broad streets and not so many cars. Today, there are incomparably more cars in the streets and the city has become brisker. There are more cafes, restaurants and shops here. Tashkent is a truly pearl of Central Asia. I say this with confidence since I have seen many cities and can compare.

Regretfully, ninety percent of my life in Tashkent is devoted to my work. Very little spare time is left for enjoying city visits.

Uzbekistan is a country of young people. The World Bank is arranging various activities focused on youth. I deliver lectures in one of the business schools, conduct workshops and presentations in Tashkent Universities and beyond the city. Besides, we organize an Open Doors Day every year and invite young people, representatives of youth organizations to the World Bank mission office.

Two years ago, we established a Central Asian summer camp in Almaty. More than one hundred children from all over Central Asian region gathered there. They discussed actual issues with the World Bank representatives and enjoyed their holidays.

Mostly, I communicate with young people during my lectures, workshops and presentations being organized in the educational establishments. I am very much impressed with their interest, energy and desire for learning. The youth of Uzbekistan is very dynamic and vitally interested in the international situation.

I have two my favorite places in Tashkent: they are a Museum of Applied Arts and Chorsu Market. The Museum is located in a very beautiful old building. My wife and I enjoy arts very much and often visit the Museum to admire the exhibited collections.

I like Chorsu Market for provided opportunity to find whatever one wants. It is a great pleasure to walk through a picturesque bazaar, which offers fruits, vegetables, household goods and like in every bazaar its life is vivid. Such places cannot be found anywhere in Europe and the USA. Of course, a hospitality and good nature of sellers is impressive. While going through the market, everyone seller offers you to try miscellaneous foodstuffs, so you leave the market full like after visiting a restaurant (laughing). 

I like to simply walk in Tashkent, to visit Amir Timur square and Sayilgoh Street, to watch people and to talk to them.

I am happy to be here on the eve of celebrating the capital’s anniversary. I wish all city dwellers happiness, family well-being and successes in their professional lives.