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In 2024, Uzbekistan’s public debt reached $40.2 bn, accounting for 35% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance reports. This development indicates a consistent upward trend in the country’s debt levels over recent years.

The external debt stands at $33.7 bn, representing 84% of the total public debt. Of this, $17.9 bn comprises fixed-rate loans, while $15.64 bn is attributed to variable-rate loans. Notably, in 2024, external borrowing reached $7.3 bn, surpassing the legally mandated cap of $5 bn.

Domestic debt experienced growth, rising from $5.9 bn to nearly $6.5 bn within the...

By the end of 2024, approximately 40% of Uzbekistan’s population did not have personal savings, according to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan surveys. This figure represents an increase from less than 35% at the end of 2023 and is the highest since the 2020 pandemic.

The rise in individuals without savings coincides with a decrease in those holding short-term reserves, specifically savings covering one to six months. Conversely, there has been an increase in residents possessing savings sufficient for more than six months, indicating growth among larger depositors.

In the first half of 2024, Uzbekistan’s banking system maintained financial...

The new storage solution is fully compatible with the S3 protocol, allowing seamless integration with existing applications and services that support this standard. This enables users to access local storage via standard APIs and utilities designed for S3 protocol interaction.

The storage is ideally suited for working with backups, archives, logs and media files. It does not require the placement or transfer of sensitive data to third-party services or storage outside Uzbekistan.

fortifAI S3 storage integrates with commonly used business backup systems, analytical tools and other applications that support the S3 protocol.

“Our customers can create...

Temu, an international e-commerce platform, has been operating in Uzbekistan since 2024. However, it may soon face restrictions. Kamronbek Mukhamadiev, head of the e-commerce development and regulation department at the National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP), stated that the platform has not obtained a license. It has also not taken steps to formalize its status.

In December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new regulations for e-commerce. These rules will take effect on July 1, 2025. They apply to marketplaces, order aggregators, streaming services, and self-employed individuals like couriers and taxi drivers.

The regulations require all e-commerce platforms to...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Afghanistan has become one of the largest sellers of military equipment, utilizing American weapons and vehicles left behind following the U.S. withdrawal. Speaking during his first Cabinet meeting of the new administration, he compared the volume of abandoned hardware to the largest used car lots in the United States.

Scale of U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan

According to Trump, Afghanistan possesses approximately 777,000 rifles and 70,000 armored trucks and vehicles. He referenced an official report estimating that $7.12 bn worth of U.S.-funded military equipment remained in the country after the previous...

Uzbekistan scored 12 out of 100 in the Freedom in the World 2025 index by Freedom House, categorizing it as a «not free» country. Among Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan ranked third in terms of political and civil liberties.

Uzbekistan’s position in Central Asia

The country outperformed Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, which scored 5 and 1 points, respectively. Kazakhstan received 23 points, while Kyrgyzstan led the region with 26 points, maintaining its position as the most free country in Central Asia despite a decline from 39 points in 2020.

Despite its classification as «not free,» Uzbekistan has shown gradual improvement. In 2020, it scored 10 points, while in 2017, it had only 3. The report...

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have reached an agreement on the delimitation of their state border, with the ratification process set to be completed within a month. The decision follows negotiations between the two countries’ governmental delegations, culminating in the signing of a border agreement on February 21 in Bishkek.

At a joint committee meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh on February 27, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev provided updates on the border negotiations, particularly regarding the Vorukh enclave. He noted that since 1991, the Tajik side had been using 19 hectares of land outside the enclave...

Uzbekistan and Qatar signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in information technology, the digital economy, and innovation. The agreement was formalized during a meeting between Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies and Sheikh Ali Al-Walid Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar.

The discussions focused on training IT specialists, creating international employment opportunities, supporting local startups, and advancing Uzbekistan’s IT sector. Invest Qatar, established in 2019, plays a key role in attracting foreign investments to Qatar and supporting its economic growth.

This agreement aligns with broader efforts by the governments of Uzbekistan and Qatar to deepen strategic ties. Earlier, President of Uzbekistan...

On March 31, 2025, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will meet for the first-ever trilateral summit in Khujand, Tajikistan. This landmark event is set to play a significant role in fostering regional cooperation. Discussions will focus on key issues such as security, economic development, and infrastructure, with an emphasis on strengthening ties between the three countries.

The announcement was made by Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov during the 58th session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. He called the summit a historic victory of diplomacy and political will, crediting Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s dedication...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering providing $500 mln in support for Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP) project in 2025. This announcement was made by ADB’s new country manager, Ko Sakamoto, on February 25, signaling the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting Tajikistan’s energy infrastructure.

The Rogun Hydropower Plant project holds strategic importance for Tajikistan. Sakamoto emphasized its crucial role in ensuring the country’s energy independence, regional stability, and efforts to combat climate change. The plant is expected to significantly contribute to the country’s energy capacity, positioning Tajikistan as a potential energy exporter in Central Asia.

Tajikistan has requested...

Kazakhstan’s oil exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) are unaffected by recent disruptions, the country’s Energy Minister confirmed on February 26. Despite damage caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Kropotkinskaya pumping station on February 17, Kazakhstan’s oil exports are continuing as scheduled.

Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev assured reporters that there was no risk of a decline in oil loading volumes. He emphasized that there were no restrictions on oil intake and noted that Kazakhstan’s oil storage capacity remains sufficient to maintain stable operations. This statement follows concerns regarding the impact of the recent attack on Russia’s oil...

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has outlined a detailed plan for the country’s energy sector in 2025, focusing on oil, gas, and renewable energy growth. The country aims to raise oil production to 96.2 mln tons in 2025, driven by key projects at Tengiz, Karachaganak, Kalamkas-More, and Khazar fields. In 2024, Kazakhstan produced 87.7 mln tons of oil. The government has also set a goal to increase domestic sourcing for natural resource purchases from 61.9% to 62%.

Oil and gas production plans

In gas production, Kazakhstan targets 62.8 bn cubic meters in 2025, an increase from 59 bn cubic...

Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport signed a major contract with Hunan Road and Bridge Construction Group Co., a Chinese company, to reconstruct the Dangira-Guliston highway. Supported by an $86.7 mln grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this project aims to establish Tajikistan’s first green corridor.

Funding and project scope

In addition to the ADB grant, the project will be backed by a $40 mln loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and $23 mln from the Tajik government. The 49 km Dangira-Guliston highway, originally built in the 1930s and last renovated in the 1970s, will be...

During Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Uzbekistan, both countries agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $2 bn. The agreement comes after talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, leading to several signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in defence, technology, and technical training.

Trade growth and key sectors

Pakistan and Uzbekistan already achieved a trade turnover of $400 mn, with a clear target set to reach $2 bn in the coming years. The two countries aim to increase investments and explore new opportunities in various industries.

The areas discussed for collaboration include minerals...

Kazakhstan officially selected the Zhambyl district in the Almaty region for its first nuclear power plant (NPP) on February 25. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the need for multiple NPPs to meet the country’s energy needs, acknowledging the urgency of the situation, especially given the increasing electricity deficit.

Kazakhstan’s electricity consumption in 2024 was 120.6 bn kWh, while its production stood at 118.3 bn kWh, resulting in a deficit of 2.4 bn kWh. By 2025, the deficit is expected to widen to 3.3 bn kWh. The southern region, in particular, is facing a severe shortage, consuming 27.7 bn kWh but...

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has praised the contribution of defender Abdukodir Khusanov to the team game.

“Very good for the short training time, very good. Khusanov came and played against Chelsea, Newcastle, Madrid, Liverpool, a tough schedule… He doesn’t speak fluent English, so his contribution is good,” Guardiola noted.

Man City lost 0-2 to Liverpool in the last match of the English Premier League. Husanov spent the whole game on the field.

Tomorrow, “Citizens” will play away with “Tottenham”. The game will start at 00:30 Tashkent time.

Read more about the...

Shomurodov after his goal in the match against Monza. Photo: Roma FC profile in X

The WhoScored portal included Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov in the symbolic team for the 26th round of the Italian Serie A.

The portal rated the Uzbek player’s performance at 7.94 out of 10.

Atlanta winger Ademola Lookman, with a score of 9.43, was recognized as the best player of the round.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Shomurodov scored a goal in the match against Monza, which ended in a 4-0 victory for the Romans.

Uzbekistan’s IT park made significant strides in recent years, underscoring the country’s emergence as a key player in the global IT outsourcing market. With 965 exporters and 660 foreign companies from 56 countries, the park’s international presence continues to grow. As of 2025, the park also hosts 2,600 members, with 38,600 jobs created in the sector.

Sherzod Shermatov’s vision for Uzbekistan as IT hub

At the Offshore Outsourcing Conference 2025, held on February 26 in Tashkent, Sherzod Shermatov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, addressed the future of IT outsourcing in the country.

«We...

Pomegranate. Photo: Unsplash

The press service of the Statistic Agency reports that in January 2025, Uzbekistan exported 405.1 tons of pomegranates, generating a total revenue of $620.3 thousand.

During the past month, the country actively exported 269 tons of pomegranates to Russia, while Kazakhstan and Tajikistan received approximately 64 tons and 41 tons, respectively.

In total, Uzbekistan exported $81.7 mln worth of agricultural products in January this year, reflecting an annual growth of 8.8%.

The leading importers of agricultural products from Uzbekistan were Russia and Pakistan, which purchased goods worth $19.3 mln and $16 million, respectively. Afghanistan ranked...

Uzbekistan and Malaysian company Mimos Berhad have agreed to create a joint venture to produce semiconductors, Dunyo news agency reported.

The agreement was reached at a meeting between Uzbek Ambassador Karomiddin Gadoev and Mimos Berhad CEO Saat Shukri Embong. The parties also discussed the idea of a joint technology park and a semiconductor assembly and testing center. Another topic of the talks was the training of skilled professionals.

The Malaysian government’s National Center for Applied Research and Development (MIMOS) agreed to participate in the establishment of a joint educational institution. The academy will operate on the territory of Uzbekistan...

Uzbekistan is reforming its agricultural subsidy system to meet long-term goals and align with its WTO membership negotiations. The aim is to make the subsidy system more efficient, transparent, and market-driven, supporting sustainable agricultural growth, food security, and environmental protection. This announcement was made during the first Uzbekistan Country Platform Roundtable of the year in Tashkent on February 25.

Findings from the agricultural subsidy assessment

A joint study by the European Union (EU), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Agriculture highlighted key issues in the current subsidy system. Over 93% of subsidies go to cotton and...

Uzbekistan aims to reach a 14.1% greenery rate by 2025, up from the current 12.4%, with an ultimate target of 30% by 2030. This announcement was made during the first Uzbekistan Country Platform Roundtable of the year in Tashkent on February 25.

As part of its green growth strategy, Uzbekistan is set to establish 257 new green parks by the end of 2025. Additionally, the country plans to increase the number of green gardens by 701. These initiatives are designed to enhance environmental conditions across the country and contribute to its broader sustainability goals.

At the roundtable, participants also discussed...

The night before, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted two resolutions concerning the military conflict in Ukraine. Both resolutions call for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” and affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

However, the opinions of UN member states on how to achieve peace diverged. Two resolutions were put to a vote simultaneously. The first, L.10, “Promoting Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine,” was drafted by Ukraine and several European countries. The second, L.11, “The Road to Peace,” was proposed by the United States.

Ninety-three countries voted in favour of L.10, 18 were against it...

Uzbekistan ranks 23rd out of 134 countries in the annual air pollution index (IQAir), with its capital, Tashkent, experiencing high pollution levels, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. The air pollution in the city is responsible for approximately 3,000 premature deaths each year, making it a significant public health concern.

Government measures to improve air quality

In response to these challenges, Uzbekistan introduced a series of measures aimed at improving air quality, as part of a broader effort discussed at the first roundtable of the Uzbekistan Country Platform in 2025. Starting from May 1, 2025, the government will...