Money transfers to Uzbekistan rise as inflows pass $15bn
International money transfers to Uzbekistan reached $15.17bn between January and September 2026, an increase of 8.9% compared with the same period last year, according to the Central Bank’s latest foreign exchange market review.
The figure rose from $13.93bn in January–September 2025, reflecting an additional $1.24bn in funds sent to the country from abroad.
Meanwhile, outgoing money transfers totalled $1.95bn, slightly higher than the $1.93bn recorded a year earlier.
As a result, Uzbekistan received $13.22bn more through international transfers than it sent abroad during the nine-month period.
Foreign currency sales rise as Uzbek soum strengthens
The increase in international transfers coincided with greater foreign currency sales by individuals through commercial banks.
Between January and September, residents sold $18.9bn in foreign currency to banks, compared with $15.3bn during the corresponding period of 2025.
At the same time, individuals purchased approximately $11bn in foreign currency, up from $8.6bn a year earlier.
This left a positive balance of $7.9bn in currency transactions between individuals and banks, providing an additional source of foreign currency for Uzbekistan’s domestic market.
Businesses also contributed to the increased supply. Export proceeds rose 28.1% to $16.6bn, with approximately $9.5bn sold on the domestic foreign exchange market.
The regulator also introduced changes to the domestic foreign exchange market in August and September, including extending currency trading hours to 5 p.m. and expanding the range of transactions used to calculate its official exchange rate.
