Mr. Lars Thunell, Executive Vice President and CEO of International Finance Corporation (IFC), is expected to visit Uzbekistan on August 17-18. The aim of his visit to Uzbekistan is to discuss with Uzbek state officials prospects of further expansion cooperation between IFC and Uzbekistan, according to the IFC Tashkent Office.

During his stay in Tashkent, Mr. Thunell is scheduled to meet with First Deputy Prime-Minister of Uzbekistan, Mr. Rustam Azimov, representatives of international organizations, banks and private sector to discuss further expansion of cooperation to promote economic growth in the country.

Mr. Thunell is leading IFC in its mission to promote sustainable private sector development. Since joining the Corporation in January 2006, Mr. Thunell has confirmed IFC''s strategy to grow its business and its mission to create opportunities in emerging markets and improve people''s lives. He has visited over 30 developing countries to see at first hand how IFC can best help its clients with financing and advisory services, and endorsed further decentralization of IFC.