News

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $44.7 bn in January–July 2025, according to the State Statistics Committee. This is a 19.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Exports rose to $20.1 bn (+34.9%), while imports climbed to $24.2 bn (+9.9%). As a result, the trade deficit narrowed to $4.18 bn, down from $7.2 bn a year earlier.

Gold Drives Export Growth

In July, Uzbekistan resumed gold exports, selling $1.09 bn worth after a one-month pause. Total gold sales in the first seven months reached $7.58 bn, up 80.9% year-on-year and already exceeding the full-year figure for 2024.

Energy and Food Exports Rise

Exports of fuel and energy products grew 11.5% to $876.2 mln...

London-listed TBC Bank Group (TBC PLC), the leading financial services provider in Georgia and operator of one of Central Asia’s largest digital banking ecosystems, has announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in OLX Uzbekistan, one of the country’s most visited online classifieds platforms. The acquisition is from OLX Group, the classifieds arm of Prosus, one of the world’s largest technology investors.

A Milestone Deal for Uzbekistan’s Tech Market

The move gives TBC Uzbekistan access to new customer segments through OLX UZ, Uzbekistan’s sixth most visited website. The platform attracts 5.4 mln monthly users and hosts 2.2 mln...

Severe unrest broke out in the stands of the Libertadores de América stadium in Avellaneda during the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile. The violence, which saw rival fans throwing stones and makeshift weapons, left at least 10 people seriously injured, around 90 detained, and forced the suspension of the match.

Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera halted play in the 48th minute with the score tied at 1-1. Shortly afterwards, Conmebol issued a statement confirming that the game had been cancelled due to a lack of security guarantees from both the host club and...

Uzbekistan produced more than 25.3 bn cubic metres of natural gas between January and July 2025, a year-on-year fall of 3.4%, according to data released by the National Statistics Committee.

Gas condensate production also decreased, dropping from 725,700 tonnes last year to 668,000 tonnes. Oil extraction declined by nearly 11%, falling to 378,800 tonnes.

Despite reduced domestic output, Uzbekistan significantly increased its gas exports. Overseas sales rose by 38.2% over the year, reaching $438.6 mln.

At the same time, the country cut back on imports. By August 1, gas imports stood at $734 mln. Imports of coal and coke...

Former Portugal manager Paulo Bento is being considered for the position of head coach of the Uzbekistan national football team, according to reports from Championat.Asia.

Bento most recently led the United Arab Emirates but was dismissed after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Portuguese coach has managed several high-profile sides during his career. He guided South Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and previously took Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

At club level, Bento has overseen Sporting Lisbon and Olympiacos, adding to his extensive managerial experience...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed the progress of large-scale development projects in New Tashkent.

Construction of the city began in 2023, with 19,700 hectares allocated in the Yukorichirchik and Urtachirchik districts. The master plan was developed by the British design firm Cross Works.

During the first stage, covering 6,000 hectares, the city will provide housing for around 600,000 people. In the longer term, New Tashkent is expected to accommodate up to 2 mln residents. Current work focuses on underground utilities, tunnels and parking facilities.

Modern Infrastructure and Government Quarter

Plans for the city include the...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan has contacted the Afghan authorities following reports of the dismantling of a monument to Alisher Navoi in Mazar-i-Sharif. The ministry issued a formal statement in response to the incident.

According to the information received, local officials removed the monument on the grounds that its location was unsuitable for honouring the great poet and thinker. The decision was also linked to plans to build a more elaborate complex dedicated to Navoi.

The Afghan government confirmed that the construction work had not been coordinated with the Ministry of Culture in Kabul, which subsequently expressed...

Netflix is set to give the late-summer box office an unexpected boost with special sing-along screenings of its animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters. The move marks a rare collaboration between the streamer and major cinema chains, despite years of tension over exclusive theatrical windows.

On August 23 and 24, screenings will take place in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Industry insiders report that 1,700 cinemas in the United States and Canada have already confirmed participation, with demand so strong that over 1,000 showtimes had sold out by Tuesday evening.

Cinema Chains Join the Craze

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov held talks with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, focusing on collaboration in cultural, humanitarian and educational fields.

During the meeting, Mirziyoyeva highlighted the Zakovat intellectual game in Bishkek, designed to encourage communication and cooperation among young people from both countries.

President Japarov underlined that relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan continue to deepen as a result of the joint efforts of the two heads of state.

Mirziyoyeva added that this progress is evident in successful agreements on borders, the mutual recognition of national ID cards, the establishment of joint ventures and...

The Summer I Turned Pretty, created by Jenny Han, has drawn attention for its cultural significance and romantic dynamics. At its centre is Conrad Fisher, portrayed by Chris Briney, who has emerged as a rare embodiment of female romantic ideals.

Alongside him, the series highlights Asian representation through Lola Tung’s lead role, a predominantly Asian family, a non-binary cousin and diverse love interests. While critics note Han’s tendency to pair Asian women with white men, the programme remains recognised for broadening representation on screen.

Conrad Fisher and the Female Fantasy

Despite mixed reviews of the show’s love triangle...

Today, Uzbekistan will remain dry with no rainfall expected across the regions. Winds will generally blow at 7–12 m/s, with occasional gusts reaching 13–18 m/s, sometimes accompanied by dust. Daytime temperatures will range between 32°C and 37°C.

In Tashkent, the capital, the weather will also stay dry. Winds are predicted at 3–8 m/s and the air temperature is expected to settle between 34°C and 36°C.

Mountainous areas will experience the same dry conditions. Winds will be similar to the plains at 7–12 m/s, with possible strengthening up to 13–18 m/s. Temperatures there will be slightly cooler, ranging from 25°C...

Contract negotiations and speculation are part of Formula 1’s lifeblood. Some drivers are tied down until the end of the decade while others face an uncertain future once their short-term deals expire. With 10 races still to run in 2025, including classic stops like Monza and Sao Paulo, here is a comprehensive look at the grid’s contractual status alongside the current battle for championships.

McLaren Stability

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 21. This article contains information about the most favourable rates.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY or KZT into soums:

Several banks offer the best rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY or KZT into soums:

Financial institutions may change the value...

Prime Video has confirmed that its hit series Fallout season 2 will release before the end of the year. The second season will follow directly from the events of Season 1, transporting viewers across the Mojave wasteland and into the post-apocalyptic city of New Vegas.

The television series, which launched in 2024, is adapted from the long-running Fallout video game franchise. Games are set two centuries after a global catastrophe, with society divided between citizens living comfortably in underground vaults and those left exposed to the radioactive surface world.

The first Fallout game was released in 1997 and has...

Uzbekistan will invest 2.1 trln soums ($168.4 mln) to industrial infrastructure in 2026, a 25% increase compared with this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the national open dialogue with entrepreneurs.

With the number of businesses in Tashkent rising daily, an additional 2 trln soums ($160.4) will be directed towards upgrading the capital’s electricity networks.

The president also highlighted the growing number of entrepreneurs who are financing external infrastructure themselves. To encourage this trend, such expenses will now be deductible from profit tax.

Financing for exporters

Uzbekistan’s textile producers will gain access to $200 mln in funding...

At the open dialogue with entrepreneurs in Tashkent, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the rapid growth of domestic enterprises and outlined new measures to strengthen support for small and medium-sized businesses.

Over the past year, 1,600 Uzbek microenterprises exceeded a turnover of 10 bn soums ($802,153) and advanced into the category of medium business. Of these, 143 achieved turnover of more than 100 bn soums ($8 mln) and joined the ranks of large companies, while 122 small businesses also grew into major firms. In total, 47 companies reached a turnover of 400–500 bn soums ($32 mln-40 mln) for the...

In the first seven months of 2025, Uzbekistan recorded 47,700 newly registered small businesses, according to figures from the National Statistics Committee. The largest share, more than 17,500 enterprises, were launched in the trade sector.

Around 6,100 entrepreneurs established businesses in industry, while the same number entered agriculture, fishing and forestry.

The accommodation and food services sector also grew, with 4,200 new businesses registered during the period.

Construction activity expanded with the creation of 2,600 firms, while the logistics sector added 1,500 new companies.

Kursiv also reports that in July 2025 Uzbekistan recorded a significant improvement in its Business...

On Wednesday August 20, an open dialogue between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and entrepreneurs began in Tashkent. The president underlined that over the past eight years Uzbekistan has attracted $230 bn in investment, of which more than $120 bn came from abroad.

«At first glance these figures, which once seemed impossible even to imagine, let alone calculate, appeared out of reach. Yet we achieved them,» Mirziyoyev remarked.

Despite the global economy facing turbulence from conflicts and divisions, Uzbekistan’s economy expanded by 7.2% in the first half of this year.

Mirziyoyev also stressed that New Tashkent

The German city of Freiburg has hosted a festival of Uzbek cuisine and culture, organised by Uzbekistan’s Embassy together with compatriots Evgeny and Yulia Schatz. The event aimed to promote the country’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.

Guests enjoyed traditional dishes such as somsa, pilaf and tandoor-roasted meat, with a pilaf masterclass by the embassy’s chef proving especially popular. Exhibitions displayed national costumes, handicrafts including suzani embroidery and atlas-adras fabrics, as well as artworks reflecting Uzbek life and traditions.

Workshops in Ebru painting and traditional Uzbek games were held, alongside an information stand with travel brochures in German and...

Uzbekistan’s Committee for Tourism has introduced a new circular tourist route connecting Turkmenistan, Khorezm, Karakalpakstan and Kazakhstan. A detailed guide to the journey has been published on the official Uzbekistan Travel website.

The route passes through three countries and brings together dozens of historical landmarks, cultural treasures and natural attractions. It also offers travellers the chance to experience traditional crafts and national cuisine. In total, 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are included on the itinerary.

Highlights of the Route

In Turkmenistan, visitors can explore the ancient city of Merv, where fortifications, palaces and mausoleums dating back more than...

Marseille have confirmed that Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe have been placed on the transfer list following what the club described as «unacceptable behaviour» in the dressing room.

The move comes in the aftermath of last week’s 1-0 defeat at Rennes, where the hosts played more than an hour with ten men after an early dismissal.

According to reports in France, the pair were involved in a heated exchange after the final whistle at Roazhon Park. Rowe was withdrawn in the 63rd minute of the match, while Rabiot completed the full game.

In an official statement, Marseille said:

Uzbekistan’s banking industry is expected to maintain strong momentum over the next three to five years, according to new research by the analytical firm Frank RG. The report identifies digitalisation, the rollout of Open Banking and government-led privatisation initiatives as the main drivers of expansion.

Experts note that the sector remains one of the most dynamic in Central Asia. A major factor has been the rapid adoption of digital tools. Open Banking technology is being actively introduced, allowing banks to access transactional data from other institutions and create new lending models. This gives Uzbekistan a technological advantage in certain...

Uzbekistan will experience dry weather during the day on August 20. Air quality index shows exceeding levels of PM 2.5 particles.

Winds are expected at 7–12 m/s, with stronger gusts of 13–16 m/s in the northern parts of the country where blowing dust may occur. Daytime temperatures will range between 32°C and 37°C.

In Tashkent, no rain is expected. Winds will be lighter at 3–8 m/s and temperatures are forecast to reach 34–36°C.

In the mountainous areas conditions will remain dry, with stronger winds of 9–14 m/s. Temperatures there will be slightly cooler at 25–30°C.

Air Quality in...

Warner Bros. Games, TT Games, DC and the LEGO Group have officially announced LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a brand-new action-adventure game that promises to reimagine the journey of Gotham’s hero. Drawing on more than eight decades of Batman films, television, comics and games, the title combines iconic storytelling with TT Games’ trademark LEGO wit.

«We are thrilled to reveal LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a fantastic experience designed to appeal to all types of players,» said JB Perrette, President and CEO of Streaming & Games at Warner Bros. Discovery.

«Our...