Economy of Uzbekistan

Main article: Uzbekistan

GDP

2023: Up 6%

In 2023, the GDP of the Republic of Uzbekistan in current prices amounted to 1066.57 trillion sum. Growth compared to the previous year in real terms was recorded at 6%. When calculating in US dollars at the average exchange rate for the reporting period, nominal GDP is $90.87 billion. Such data in early March 2024 was published by the Statistics Agency of Uzbekistan.

The document says that the GDP deflator index in relation to 2022 prices amounted to 112.2%. In 2023, the sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (plus 1% in relation to 2022), industry (plus 1.5%), construction (plus 0.4%) and the service sector (plus 2.6%) made a positive contribution to the growth of the republic's GDP. Thanks to the increase in net taxes on products, GDP increased by 0.5% year-on-year. Gross value added created by all sectors of the economy accounted for 94.5% of total GDP and increased by 5.9% compared to 2022. Net taxes on products in the GDP structure amounted to 5.5% - plus 7.4% on an annualized basis.

In the sectoral structure of Uzbekistan's GDP at the end of 2023, the share of the service sector amounted to 43.4% against 41.6% a year earlier. At the same time, the contribution of agriculture, forestry and fisheries decreased from 24.9% to 24.3%, industry - from 27.0% to 26.1%, construction - from 6.5% to 6.2%.

The average permanent population of Uzbekistan in 2023 amounted to 36.31 million people against 35.65 million in 2022. The report notes that in 2023, GDP per capita at current prices was recorded at 29.29 million soums, or $2495.6. A year earlier, this value was 25.15 million soums. According to estimates, in 2023, GDP growth per capita in real terms compared to 2022 amounted to 3.8%, and compared to 2019 - 13.2%.^[1]

2021: GDP growth of 7.4%

in GDP Uzbekistan 2021, it grew by 7.4%. This was announced in mid-January 2022 by the President of the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev. According to him, the economy showed a tangible boost thanks to reforms, work done in mahallas, as well as the development of entrepreneurship.

Mirziyoyev cited data according to which 100 thousand new entrepreneurs began their work in the regions. The number of self-employed persons has reached 1.2 million. This is a good indicator that allows developing a strong business community in the country, reducing unemployment and migration outflow from Uzbekistan, said economist, head of the department of the Institute of CIS Countries Aza Migranyan.

Entrepreneurship is an unconditional competitive advantage of the Uzbek side, explains Migranyan.

She added that the industrial sector will take the lead. These are the automotive industry, oil and gas chemical sectors, nuclear power, as well as the processing of agricultural raw materials (cotton, fruits and vegetables).

In December 2021, at a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, it was reported that GDP growth in 2021 was 7%, industry - 9.5%, services - 9.5%, construction - 6%, agriculture - 4. The inflation rate was recorded below 10%.

The Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan notes that the key factors in economic growth are the growth of the services, production and natural resources sectors, economic recovery of the main trading partners, investment programs and reforms of state enterprises.

The expert expects an increase in tax revenues as the "shadow" economy shrinks and the state of state enterprises improves. Foreign assets of the government and gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank are one of the factors supporting the fiscal and external position of the country.^[2]

2019: Digital economy's share of GDP rises to 2.2%

GDP Uzbekistan According to the results of 2019, the share of the digital economy in 2.2% amounted to 10.9% against USA 10% in, China in and in the 5.5% century. India Information technologies are increasingly developing in the country, but the pace could be higher if not for a number of barriers.

Due to the weak digital infrastructure and lack of digital skills in the country, digital trade is developing at a weaker pace in Uzbekistan. For example, the decree of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev notes that there is an insufficient level of online trade and trading platforms in the republic.

According to the presidential decree, by 2023 it is planned to double the share of the digital economy in Uzbekistan's GDP. To do this, according to the instructions of the head of state, they will modernize the digital infrastructure, introduce information and communication technologies in all spheres of life, and also develop digital entrepreneurship.

By the end of April 2020, Uzbekistan continues to widely implement the Electronic Government system, designed to ensure openness, transparency and efficiency in all areas, in particular, the provision of 178 services through the Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services, which saves time and reduces the costs of the population.

 The construction of the Technological Park of Software Products  and Information Technologies is underway. In 2020-2024, it is planned to organize branches of the technopark  in 14 regions, triple the number of residents and increase the number of workers to 40 thousand.

 In 2020-2021 , all medical institutions, schools, kindergartens and villages in Uzbekistan plan to connect to the fast Internet, and by 2023 the authorities want to increase the volume of local software exports to $100 million a year, and the share of electronic public services by 2022 - up to 60%.^[3]

National debt

2023: State debt - 34% of GDP

2017: State debt - 24% of GDP

Banks

Main article: Banks in Uzbekistan

Remittances

2022: Transfer of a record $14.5 billion from Russia

In 2022, individuals sent record volumes of remittances from Russia to neighboring countries amid the conflict in Ukraine.

The volume of remittances from Russia to Uzbekistan in 2022 amounted to $14.5 billion - over the year it increased 2.6 times.

Inflation

2022: Inflation in November - 12.2%

Incomes of the population

2024: Median salary - $387

As of the beginning of 2024, the average wage in Uzbekistan was 4.5 million soums, which is equivalent to $387 US. Over the past five years, this figure has grown significantly, almost doubling compared to 2019, according to a study by digital hub Wunder Digital.

According to surveys, 21% of the population is not experiencing financial difficulties. More than half of residents can afford to buy household appliances, although they face difficulties acquiring a car or real estate. Less than a third of respondents report difficulties with buying equipment or clothing.

2023: Minimum wage - $172

Natural resources

For 2018:

• Uzbekistan ranks fourth in the world in gold reserves, second only to South Africa, the United States and Russia.

• Uzbekistan is among the top ten leaders in terms of tungsten reserves and mining.

Uranium ore mining

Main article: Uranium (market)

2023

2022: World No. 5 in uranium mining with 3,300 tons

2018: World No. 7 for uranium deposits

In 2018, Uzbekistan ranks seventh in the world in terms of uranium deposits.

Gas production

For 2018, Uzbneftegaz JSC ranked 11th in the world in terms of natural gas production. But reserves of natural gas and coal are depleting: according to the Center for Economic Research of Uzbekistan, they will last - with the current consumption of resources - for the next 20-30 years, while oil reserves are practically depleted.

The volume of gas production in 2021 in Uzbekistan amounted to 53.8 billion m3. Exports to China amounted to 8 billion m3, to Russia - 4.5 billion, to the southern regions of Kazakhstan - 2.5 billion, to other countries of Central Asia - 500 − 550 million m3. But due to the lack of investment in field development, production volumes are falling.

In the winter months, the gas shortage in the republic reaches 20 million m3 per day.

For 2022, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are striving to comply with sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies against Russia after the start of a special operation in Ukraine, in exchange for investments in the oil and gas sector by multinational corporations.

Oil production

Alcohol market

Minimum age to purchase alcoholic beverages

IT and telecom market of Uzbekistan

• E-Government of Uzbekistan
• Uzbekistan IT market
• Cellular communications (Uzbekistan market)
• Electronic payment systems in Uzbekistan

Social networks and instant messengers

2024:70% of the population of Uzbekistan uses Telegram

More than 70% of the population of Uzbekistan uses Telegram. The creator of the messenger Pavel Durov announced this on June 30, 2024. Read more here.

2023: Telegram and YouTube lead in number of users

Telegram is the most popular messenger in: 94% Uzbekistan of respondents use it (according to data as of September 2023). Despite the lack of monetization in, it remains to the country YouTube the leader among the video, hostings which is used by 66% of respondents. Among (social networks Instagram recognized extremist and blocked in) RUSSIAN FEDERATION occupies a leading position. Such data in August 2024 were shared by representatives of the digital hub Wunder Digital.

Users of social networks and instant messengers in Uzbekistan use these platforms for various purposes. The main activities include watching video content, which is done by 57% of users, and reading posts - 61%. Also, social networks are used to meet and observe the lives of other people, place orders for the purchase of goods and services.

The age portrait of the social media audience is as follows:

The most active users are men, and the audience under the age of 35 is mainly on Instagram (recognized as extremist and blocked in the Russian Federation).

10.3 million people, which is 45% of the total Internet audience in Uzbekistan, watch videos on the YouTube platform. The average viewing time per day is 20 minutes, with 58% users in the age group from 25 to 44 years. Content is mainly consumed from mobile devices (96%), and the most active geographical region is Tashkent.

In 2023, the number of Instagram users (recognized as extremist and blocked in the Russian Federation) in Uzbekistan increased by 53%. At the same time, the audience of Odnoklassniki and VKontakte decreased by 8%. The growth of users can also be noted Facebook (the social network is recognized as extremist and blocked in the Russian Federation) (+ 25%) and LinkedIn (+ 31%).

Telegram is the most popular messenger among Internet users. In the country, 18 million people use it, which is 78% of the total number of Internet users. Telegram also created 64 thousand Uzbek channels.

Internet access (Uzbekistan market)

2023: Number of Internet users in Uzbekistan - 30 million

According to state Uzbekistan the Committee on Statistics of the Republic, the number of Internet users Uzbekistan in by the end of 2023 reached about 30 million, of which 26.5 go online with. mobile communication The penetration rate Internet among the population aged 7 to 69 years is 91%, and the mobile internet is 78%. The annual growth of Internet users in general for 2021/2022 was 16%, and mobile Internet users - 14%. Such data in August 2024 were shared by representatives of the digital hub Wunder Digital.

56.4% of Uzbekistan's internet users live in the eastern region of the country. The largest regions in terms of the number of users are Tashkent (20% of the total), Fergana (12.8%) and Samarkand (9%).

According to gs.statcounter.com and speedtest.net as of December 2023, a turning point occurred in the Uzbekistan market in 2020: the number of web traffic from mobile devices exceeded traffic from desktops. This trend continues to this day, with a distribution of 71% to mobile devices and 29% to desktops. The average download speed of wired Internet in the country is 55 Mbps, and mobile - 25.2 Mbps.

In 2023, the interests of users are as follows: reading news ranks first, attracting 66% of all respondents. In second place is the use of social networks, which is of interest to 47% of users. A stable interest remains in listening to audio and video online (32%) and using search engines (29%). But interest in online learning decreased in 2023 from 24% to 20%, which marks a change in trends among users compared to previous years.

The main sources of information for the population are TV (94%), the Internet (90%), radio (63%) and the press (43%). However, over the past three years, the share of daily television viewers has decreased by 19%, while the number of daily internet users has increased by 21%. The daily audience of radio listeners also showed a slight increase (+ 16% by 2019).

Depending on the age, the preferences of the audience on the choice of media for obtaining information differ significantly. So, according to INTERNEWS Media Consumption (September 2023, Uzbekistan, sample: 1018), young people aged 14-29 prefer to search for information on the Internet and on social networks. The older generation, 46 +, is more prone to reading newspapers and magazines, listening to radio and watching television.

Language choice when consuming information in Uzbekistan shows that more than 60% of cases of information in the Uzbek language are available through traditional channels (TV, radio, press). On the Internet and social networks, according to INTERNEWS Media Consumption (September 2023, Uzbekistan, sample: 1018), this figure is slightly lower, it is 59% for sites and 62% for social networks, respectively. This suggests that the majority of the audience prefers to consume information in Uzbek both offline and online communication channels.

Among local sites, the most popular are: Kun.uz (5.5 million visits per month), Yandex.uz (4.6 million), Olx.uz (4.45 million), Gazeta.uz (4.2 million), Daryo.uz (4.2 million).

Internet trading (Uzbekistan market)

2023: Market CAGR to 2026 - at 47%

E-commerce business in Uzbekistan is in a period of active growth, foreshadowing a CAGR of + 47% until 2026 (as of August 2023). Such data in August 2024 were shared by representatives of the digital hub Wunder Digital. The expected e-commerce turnover by 2027 will amount to $2.2 billion, which will be 11% of the total retail market, compared with 2% in 2022.

Among the most popular shopping apps are Uzum Market, OLX, Alibaba, Wildberries, Taobao and Korzinka. And the rating of purchases on the Internet in Uzbekistan by category is as follows:

The younger generation plays a key role in the development of e-commerce: 47% of the population of Uzbekistan are people aged 15 to 45 years. Other growth factors for e-commerce also include internet availability, connection speed, the spread of smartphones and mobile banking, as well as government support and socio-economic changes such as economic growth and urbanization.

A favorable tax environment for e-commerce also has a positive impact, including a tax on online income of 2% (compared to 4% for traditional trade), as well as the Uzum business model, which stimulates the development of the sector. One in three orders for Uzum Market are paid in installments from Uzum Nasiya.

International players such as Wildberries and ZoodMall are already actively working in the Uzbek market, which demonstrates interest in regional potential and growth opportunities in e-commerce.

Space connection

2024: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders to open access to GLONASS to Uzbekistan

On September 19, 2024, the president Russia Vladimir Putin ordered to open To Uzbekistan access to the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system. We are talking, in particular, about signals of high accuracy. More here

Biometrics

Main article: Biometrics in Uzbekistan

Media and advertising

2023: Growth in investment in the media market by 46% thanks to the arrival of large advertisers

Since 2018, the volume of investments in the media market of Uzbekistan has been constantly increasing, although the growth rate has been uneven, ranging from 15% to 46% annually. In 2023, the market grew 46%, made possible by the arrival of large advertisers, including significant expansion in the digital space. The trend towards the entry of international players into the local market continues in 2024, which contributes to the further development and increase in investment in the media market of Uzbekistan. Such data in August 2024 were shared by representatives of the digital hub Wunder Digital.

The structure of advertising investment is as follows:

The main points are:

• Television continues to dominate the advertising market, as demand among advertisers significantly exceeds supply.
• Online advertising has become an independent and effective tool for small and medium-sized businesses. The arrival of large players in the market pushed up investment in the digital segment.
• The transition to LED-monitors contributed to the significant growth of the outdoor advertising segment, attracting more advertisers.
• Radio holds its share thanks to an increase in the number of cars owned by the population, despite its low performance.
• Print media has all but disappeared from the advertising market, giving way to more modern advertising formats.

The volume of investment in the digital sphere of Uzbekistan in 2024 is projected to reach a record 406 billion soums, continuing the sharp growth that began in 2022. The main drivers are banner advertising, especially on the DV360 platform, and online video, which is becoming more and more popular among large advertisers. A significant part of the advertising inventory is placed in mobile applications.

Telegram remains the most popular resource for advertising, and the launch of ads through Telegram Ads is rapidly gaining popularity. The search ad segment is dominated by Google, holding 74% of the market. However, the lack of monetization on YouTube and the ability to advertise on TikTok limits the use of these platforms for advertising purposes.

The majority of respondents (50%) have a positive attitude towards advertising in online media, as well as digital advertising (49%). A third of the respondents expressed a positive perception of contextual advertising (36%) and outdoor advertising (36%). 52% of respondents called videos the most memorable advertising format.

As for advertising platforms, the distribution of them in the country looks like this:

The DV360 platform has the largest volume of active accounts and is an effective tool for coverage campaigns.

Industry

2024: The Dagestan company opened a plant for the production of textile fiberglass in Uzbekistan. 100 million rubles invested in it

The Dagestan company, together with Uzbek partners, opened a factory for the production of textile fiberglass in Uzbekistan. Investments in the project amounted to ₽100 million. This was announced in August 2024 by the government of Dagestan, stressing that the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Minister of Industry and Trade of Dagestan Nizam Khalilov were present at the grand opening of the enterprise. Read more here

Power

NPP

• Small Power Nuclear Power Plant (ASMM) in Uzbekistan

2024: Russia's Inter RAO fails to start exporting electricity to Uzbekistan due to infrastructure wear in Kazakhstan

Russian energy holding Inter RAO was unable to begin electricity supplies to Uzbekistan planned for the fall.

This was announced to TASS in October 2024 by Alexander Panin, a member of the board of Inter RAO. She noted that transit is hindered by the low throughput capacity of Kazakhstan's networks.

The high percentage of deterioration of Kazakhstan's energy infrastructure creates problems not only within the country, but also hinders economic cooperation in the region.

Earlier at the Eurasian Economic Forum - 2024, the chairman of the Kazakhstan Electric Power Association Talgat Temirkhanov said that average wear is 65% of generation, and on networks it is 80%.

Due to its own investments in the amount of 10 trillion tenge, Kazakhstan plans to reduce the percentage of generation depreciation to 50%.

2020: Low per capita energy consumption

and

Agriculture

2019: Cotton exports halted

Uzbekistan is the main supplier of cotton in the Russian Federation, in 2019 it closed the export of cotton fiber, sending the entire volume produced to the domestic market. Similar "cotton" policy began to be pursued from 2020/21. other countries of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan so far refrains from a similar course, but the cotton harvest there is many times less than Central Asian.

Later, the PRC stopped exporting the same products, "referring to its shortage for its own needs."

Market participants in Russia report that at the end of July 2022, a critical situation developed in one of the main industries of the Russian light industry - cotton. Many of her enterprises are on the verge of stopping due to the exhaustion of raw cotton and cotton yarn. The demand for these products is provided by more than 90% of imports.

Logistics

2024: Connecting to India's transport corridor through Iran

While the countries of the Central Asia (CA) are breaking through the logistics routes through Afghanistan to, Pakistan India through Iran Turkmenistan and laying their own route. The first 20 containers have already arrived in, as Uzbekistan reported by Turkmen railway workers in August 2024. At the same time, this route only partially uses the infrastructure of the North-South MTK.

The corridor from India to the CA also became one of the topics at the meeting of the foreign ministers of all five countries on August 28-29 in New Delhi - this is the first meeting in a similar format.

New Delhi's intentions are clear: it does not want to depend either on an unstable Afghanistan or on an old geopolitical rival in the person of Islamabad, at the same time getting the opportunity to cause trouble to Beijing.

Iran finds itself at the crossroads of several trade routes at once, while against the port of Chabahar, where Indian cargo is delivered, Washington does not even impose sanctions, not wanting to repel New Delhi from itself.

For Russia, this is a project with a rather contradictory effect that requires careful analysis and skillful diplomacy, wrote Rybar. Because on the one hand, it creates opportunities to balance Chinese influence in the region, growing as the Belt and Road Initiative is implemented.

On the other hand, this corridor fulfills the task set in Washington a month ago - to make Central Asia less dependent on Russia and China by providing it with an alternative trade route.

2023: Transport corridor to Russia via Turkmenistan

From July 2023, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan can use the new multimodal transport corridor to Russia and back bypassing Kazakhstan through the Caspian Sea.

Tourism

Foreign trade

2024: Rising imports from China at the beginning of the year

2023

Trade turnover of Uzbekistan and Russia for the year increased by 5% to $9.8 billion

The volume of trade between Uzbekistan and Russia for the period from January to December 2023 reached $9.8 billion, which is 5% higher than in 2022, when the trade turnover was $9.3 billion. This became known in November 2024.

In the structure of trade, exports from Uzbekistan to Russia amounted to $3.308 billion, and imports from Russia reached $6.576 billion. Russia took the position of a key trading partner of Uzbekistan with a share of 17.8% in the total foreign trade turnover of the republic.

Exports from Uzbekistan to Russia are dominated by industrial goods worth $944.019 million, various finished products - $723.286 million and services - $592.468 million. A significant share is also occupied by food and live animals in the amount of $505.400 million, machinery and transport equipment - $256.004 million.

Russian imports to Uzbekistan are represented mainly by industrial goods in the amount of $2.167 billion. A significant share is made up of mineral fuel, lubricating oils and similar materials - $1.254 billion, chemicals and similar products - $753.774 million.

The Consul General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Rostov-on-Don Burkhan Alikulov at the annual reception for the heads of diplomatic institutions noted the potential for the further development of trade relations between the countries. In particular, he mentioned the agreement between the Dzhizak and Rostov regions on interregional cooperation, which creates favorable conditions for the development of economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.

Machines and transport equipment from Russia to Uzbekistan were delivered in the amount of $723.807 million, and food products and live animals - in the amount of $687.829 million. In 2024, it is planned to expand cooperation in the field of tourism between countries, including projects for the exchange of tourist operators to increase tourist flow.^[4][5]

Export of IT services in 3 years increased 22 times to $344 million

According to the results of 2023, the export of IT services from Uzbekistan reached $344 million. For comparison, in 2020 this figure was estimated at $16 million. Thus, in three years, the volume of exports increased by about 22 times. This is stated in the materials of IT Park Uzbekistan, with which TAdviser got acquainted in early October 2024. Read more here

Sharp rise in imports from China

Uzbekistan signed a 2-year agreement with Russia for the supply of 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas

Uzbekistan agreed with Russia on the purchase of gas within two years, the annual volume will be about 2.8 billion cubic meters. m. This was announced on June 19, 2023 by the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.

The press release clarifies that the agreement involves the import of 9 million cubic meters. m of natural gas per day. Natural gas prices were agreed within the framework of the planned reforms based on market prices in the region, as well as on the basis of current prices in the country and their market principles, the Ministry of Energy added, without specifying specific amounts. Deliveries will begin on October 1, 2023.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, the road map provides for the construction of new gas metering stations in Uzbekistan for the supply of gas in reverse transit through Kazakhstan through the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline.

The gas transmission system of Uzbekistan is scheduled to replace three units of gas pumping equipment and overhaul and restoration work on 11 units of various gas pumping equipment, as well as the construction of 22 km of new main gas pipelines and repair of 56 km of gas pipelines, added to the Ministry of Energy.

Uzbekistan itself previously produced and exported gas, for 2022 predicted supplies of 3.3 billion cubic meters. m. Key buyers were China and neighboring states of Central Asia.

But in the fall of 2022 there were blackouts due to a lack of gas, in December of the same year supplies were stopped due to an increase in domestic consumption in the winter.

Due to the fact that now our main task is to meet the needs of the population, all gas exports, including to China, have been suspended by 100% and this volume has been sent to the population, "said Bekhzot Narmatov, chairman of the board of Uztransgaz.

In 2023, Tashkent reported on the resumption of gas supplies abroad, following the meetings of the leaders of Uzbekistan and China, the parties agreed to continue deliveries in accordance with the contract.^[6]

2022

Russia bypassed China in foreign trade of Uzbekistan after growing turnover to $9 billion

Trade Russia Uzbekistan and in 2022 it grew by a record - by almost a quarter. The turnover exceeded $9 billion, overtook by this indicator Russia. China

As a result, Russia at the end of 2022 became the largest importer of Uzbek products with an indicator of 3.1 billion. dollars

Exports of Uzbek textiles to Russia grew by almost 50% - from $820 million to $1.2 billion

For 11 months of 2022, the export of Uzbek textiles to Russia grew by almost 50% - from $820 million to $1.2 billion. Russia's share in the total export of textiles increased over the year from 30% to 41%.

Export growth to Russia by 20.3% to $4.4 billion in 9 months

The volume of supplies of products and services to Russia from Uzbekistan for 9 months of 2022 increased by 20.3% and reached $4.4 billion. Uzbekistan mainly supplies textiles and fruits and vegetables to Russia.

Foreign trade

2023

Sharp rise in imports from China

Uzbekistan signed a 2-year agreement with Russia for the supply of 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas

Uzbekistan agreed with Russia on the purchase of gas within two years, the annual volume will be about 2.8 billion cubic meters. m. This was announced on June 19, 2023 by the press service of the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan.

The press release clarifies that the agreement involves the import of 9 million cubic meters. m of natural gas per day. Natural gas prices were agreed within the framework of the planned reforms based on market prices in the region, as well as on the basis of current prices in the country and their market principles, the Ministry of Energy added, without specifying specific amounts. Deliveries will begin on October 1, 2023.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan, the road map provides for the construction of new gas metering stations in Uzbekistan for the supply of gas in reverse transit through Kazakhstan through the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline.

The gas transmission system of Uzbekistan is scheduled to replace three units of gas pumping equipment and overhaul and restoration work on 11 units of various gas pumping equipment, as well as the construction of 22 km of new main gas pipelines and repair of 56 km of gas pipelines, added to the Ministry of Energy.

Uzbekistan itself previously produced and exported gas, for 2022 predicted supplies of 3.3 billion cubic meters. m. Key buyers were China and neighboring states of Central Asia.

But in the fall of 2022 there were blackouts due to a lack of gas, in December of the same year supplies were stopped due to an increase in domestic consumption in the winter.

Due to the fact that now our main task is to meet the needs of the population, all gas exports, including to China, have been suspended by 100% and this volume has been sent to the population, "said Bekhzot Narmatov, chairman of the board of Uztransgaz.

In 2023, Tashkent reported on the resumption of gas supplies abroad, following the meetings of the leaders of Uzbekistan and China, the parties agreed to continue deliveries in accordance with the contract.^[7]

2022

Russia bypassed China in foreign trade of Uzbekistan after growing turnover to $9 billion

Trade Russia Uzbekistan and in 2022 it grew by a record - by almost a quarter. The turnover exceeded $9 billion, overtook by this indicator Russia. China

As a result, Russia at the end of 2022 became the largest importer of Uzbek products with an indicator of 3.1 billion. dollars

Exports of Uzbek textiles to Russia grew by almost 50% - from $820 million to $1.2 billion

For 11 months of 2022, the export of Uzbek textiles to Russia grew by almost 50% - from $820 million to $1.2 billion. Russia's share in the total export of textiles increased over the year from 30% to 41%.

Export growth to Russia by 20.3% to $4.4 billion in 9 months

The volume of supplies of products and services to Russia from Uzbekistan for 9 months of 2022 increased by 20.3% and reached $4.4 billion. Uzbekistan mainly supplies textiles and fruits and vegetables to Russia.

Foreign investment

2023: Russia leads in creating companies in Uzbekistan in the first quarter - 243

Russian business created 243 enterprises in Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2023 - this is the largest indicator among countries whose companies created enterprises with foreign investments in the republic. The top three also included Chinese investors (118 enterprises in January-March) and Turkish (67).

2022: Russia is the leader in the number of enterprises created in Uzbekistan

In 2022, Russian business created 967 enterprises in Uzbekistan. With the participation of Russian business, 3,156 organizations operate (20% of the total number of enterprises operating in the country with foreign capital).

R&D

2020: R&D expenses - $345 million

Consumption

Meat

2023: Beef is the most consumed type of meat