Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has extended a US$25 million loan to Uzbek pharmaceutical company Meros Pharm to strengthen market competition and improve transparency in the country's pharmaceutical sector.

The funding, equivalent to €21.9 million, will be used to increase Meros Pharm’s working capital. As the second-largest wholesale distributor of pharmaceuticals in Uzbekistan, the company will use the funds to expand its regional warehouse network and optimize inventory management during periods of high demand.

This initiative is expected to enhance competition within the private licensed pharmaceutical distribution sector and address logistical challenges in medicine delivery. The project will help shorten delivery times and improve access to quality, affordable medicines nationwide.

As part of its partnership with the EBRD, Meros Pharm will adopt modern corporate governance practices and implement advanced distribution standards. The project aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to regulate the pharmaceutical industry and promote greater transparency.

The EBRD remains the largest institutional investor in Uzbekistan’s economy among Central Asian countries, having committed nearly €5.6 billion to 181 projects in the country over the past five years, with a strong focus on private sector development.