13/05/11 - REVIEW OF KEY BUSINESS EVENTS (May 10, 2011)

Дата публикации: Jan 19, 2012 10:16:8 PM

12.3 mln USD invested into the reconstruction of water supply facilities

By disbursing 20.9 bln UZS (12.3 mln USD) investments for the construction and reconstruction of drinking water supply facilities throughout Uzbekistan in the 1st quarter of 2011, there were put into operation 287.4 km long water networks, including 236.9 km in rural areas, reports “IA REGNUM”.

As a result of additional measures for housing development in the country, there was contructed 1.64 mln sq. m. of housing, including 1.24 mln sq. m. in rural areas, that is 14.3% more than during the same period of 2010. To meet the growing demand for construction materials, there were commenced 43 new construction materials production facilities using local raw materials and components. Particularly, there were commissioned 8 new brick plants with an aggregate capacity of 34.6 mln bricks, 5 brick factories were modernized, including 2 factories switched over to using coal as raw material component.

As part of the accelerated infrastructure development program, there was rehabilitated 11 km of railway lines. In addition, there were put into operation 5 km of highways that are part of the Uzbek National Highway, and there were reconstructed 10 km of A-379 “Navoi-Uchkuduk” highway.

Exports of goods and services in the 1st quarter of 2011 rose by 28.5%

During January-March 2011 exports of goods and services from Uzbekistan rose by 28.5% and reached 3.5 bln USD, says “IA REGNUM”.

During the reporting period, the most dynamically growing industries were chemical and petrochemical (114.1%), machine building and metal processing (108.8%), light (107,1%), food processing (109.3%) and medical (152.3%). Large companies have increased production of trucks (by 21,3%), passenger cars (by 6.8%), detergents (by 2.4 times), refrigerators and freezers (by 8%), non-alcoholic beverages (by 11.3%), cereals (by 4.7 times), vegetable oils (by 9.2%), margarine products (by 2.4 times), soap (by 15.1%), silk (by 34,9%), knitwear (by 28.7%), garments (by 9.4%), drugs (by 2 times).

Production of consumer goods grew by 10.3%, including foodstuffs – by 11.5% and non-food goods – by 9.3%. In order to expand production, during the reporting period, commercial banks issued loans to manufacturers amounting to 156.8 bln UZS (92.7 mln USD) to purchase manufacturing equipment and raw materials. In the framework of a program to improve the industrial potential of regions and to create additional manufacturing capacities for the production of basic consumer goods, there were implemented 205 projects, including 118 projects related to the production of food products and 87 projects related to the production of consumer goods. As a result of actions taken to develop the export potential, export of goods and services grew by 28.5% up to 3.5 bln USD.

Small businesses were provided with 512 mln USD loans

In the 1st quarter of 2011, commercial banks of Uzbekistan provided 865.9 bln UZS (512 mln USD) loans to small and private businesses, says “IA REGNUM”. This includes 159.8 bln UZS (94.5 mln USD) micro-loans, with an increase of 1.4 times compared to the same period in 2010. Measures to increase the access of small and private businesses to raw materials contributed to an increase of 1.5 times in the purchase of goods for manufacturing activities. Volume of goods produced by small businesses and sold through exchange trading has increased by 1.8 times. The share of transactions concluded by small businesses in the total turnover of the exchange was equal to 82%.

As a result of measures to support small businesses, there were commissioned 170 small enterprises, including 23 in textile industry, 49 in construction materials industry, 75 in food industry, 2 in leather and footwear, and 21 in other industries. Manufacturing by small businesses grew by 117.8%, significantly higher than the average for the manufacturing sector.

The share of services sector in the GDP of Uzbekistan reached 48.5%

According to “IA REGNUM”, the total volume of services provided in Uzbekistan during the 1st quarter of 2011 increased by 12.6% compared to the same period in 2010, resulting in an increased share of this sector in the GDP of the country up to 48.5% (46.4% in the 1st quarter of 2010).

There were disbursed 9.2 bln UZS (5.4 mln USD) to implement the program for service sector infrastructure development, the funds were loaned out by the Employment Assistance Fund, Mikrokreditbank and other commercial banks. As a result of growing number of subscribers using mobile services and the Internet, as well as increased digitalization of landlines, the volume of communication and information services has increased by 42.7%. Measures to further development micro and consumer lending and financial infrastructure institutions resulted in an increase of the volume of financial services by 25.9%. Commissioning of 1 200 new retail and catering facilities contributed to the growth of these services by 15.2%. Creation of over 90 consumer service facilities ensured the growth of consumer services by 17.3%. As a result of creation of 843 retail and 43 catering facilities and 74 companies providing services in rural areas, there were created 30 400 jobs.