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Harvard University’s Growth Lab has identified 162 products from Uzbekistan as having strong competitive advantages on the global market, according to the Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR).

The findings, based on the 2023 Economic Complexity Index, also place Uzbekistan 80th in the global rankings — a notable rise of 25 positions over the past five years. This improvement reflects the country’s consistent efforts to diversify its economy and expand export potential.

Harvard experts project that Uzbekistan’s economy will grow at an average annual rate of 5.6% through to 2033. The researchers also highlight Uzbekistan’s capacity to develop...

The Central Bank of Turkey has raised its key interest rate from 42.5% to 46% per annum, according to a statement from the regulator.

The move came as a surprise to many economists, especially after the central bank had cut rates three times in recent months. However, analysts at Goldman Sachs had predicted an increase.

The bank noted that underlying inflation declined in March, though a slight uptick in prices is expected in April.

«Inflation expectations and pricing behaviour continue to pose risks to the disinflation process,» the Central Bank said.

In...

Uzbek businesses will play a key role in the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region. Speaking at a press conference hosted by Sputnik Uzbekistan, Otabek Omanov, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction, said local companies will supply essential materials such as cement, rebar, steel structures and power cables.

They will also contribute to the development of supporting infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems.

«To move forward with contracts, the Directorate must first prepare the technical specifications,» Omanov noted.

Alongside local involvement, international...

Registration is now open for M360 Eurasia 2025, which will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 21 to 22. Organised by the GSMA, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and host sponsor Beeline Uzbekistan, the event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and innovators from across the mobile ecosystem.

Ahead of the event, the GSMA shared key findings from its upcoming Mobile Sector Taxation Report in Eurasia. According to the report, high tax burdens remain a significant barrier to mobile internet adoption in several countries, despite existing network availability. In Turkmenistan, the total cost...

Asterium has secured a licence to operate as a cryptocurrency exchange in Uzbekistan, as reported by the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP).

Earlier, the company was granted permission to open a crypto store in the country. Founded in 2025, Asterium boasts a charter capital of UZS 30 bn.

As of April 17, Uzbekistan hosts five crypto depositories and 11 crypto stores. In January this year, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, in partnership with local firm Coinpay, launched its services in Uzbekistan.

By mid-April, the number of cryptocurrency exchanges in the country had risen to three, according to NAPP...

Billionaire Alisher Usmanov ranks ninth on Forbes Russia’s 2025 list of the wealthiest individuals in the country. The publication has included a total of 146 billionaires in its rankings this year.

Forbes estimates Usmanov’s net worth at $16.7 bn, marking a $3.3 bn increase over the past year. Since 2022, the billionaire of Uzbek origin has lived in Tashkent. In an interview with Corriere Della Sera, Usmanov revealed that he is still actively challenging sanctions.

At the top of the list is Russian oil magnate Vagit Alekperov, whose fortune is valued at $28.7 bn. Following him are Alexey Mordashov

From January to February 2025, Uzbekistan imported 186,800 tonnes of hard coal from Kyrgyzstan, marking a 52.4% rise compared to the same period last year, according to data from the National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyzstan.

In monetary terms, the value of coal imports from Kyrgyzstan grew by 12.6%, reaching $12.4 million.

Conversely, Uzbekistan halved its imports of Kyrgyz lignite (brown coal), with volumes dropping to 51,300 tonnes. In total, Uzbekistan now accounts for more than 97% of Kyrgyzstan’s coal exports.

In November 2024, Kyrgyzstan introduced a ban on coal exports outside the EAEU by road. Consequently, the majority...

Gold prices in Uzbekistan have reached a new all-time high. As of April 17, a five-gram gold bar costs more than UZS 7.2 mln, according to data from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

The previous record came just a day earlier, on April 16, when the same gold bar stood at UZS 7 mln.

On April 17, the Central Bank reported the following rates:
• 10 grams – UZS 14.4 mln
• 20 grams – UZS 28.8 mln
• 50 grams – UZS 72.1 mln
• 100 grams – UZS 144.2 mln

The surge follows a global spike, with the price of a troy ounce of gold surpassing $3,300 on...

Time magazine has named Liang Wenfeng, the mind behind Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, one of the 100 most influential people of 2025. He appears in the Pioneers section of this year’s prestigious list.

Liang, a veteran of neural network development for stock trading, turned his attention to generative AI and language models in 2023. Just a year later, his company’s chatbot upended the global tech landscape.

In late 2024, DeepSeek launched a language model that stunned the market. It outperformed industry giants and emerged as a formidable challenger to OpenAI’s ChatGPT—without the advantage of deep-pocketed investors or access...

Uzbekistan and Hungary have agreed to strengthen their defence partnership, signing a cooperation declaration during the visit of Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky to Tashkent.

The agreement marks a significant step in expanding military and strategic ties between the two countries. Speaking after his meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defence, Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the new framework would lay the foundation for long-term collaboration in defence policy and military training.

During the talks, the ministers also addressed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to a statement from Hungary’s Ministry of Defence, both parties agreed on the urgent...

Uzbekistan saw a sharp rise in visitors from Iran at the start of 2025, with 2,900 Iranian nationals travelling to the country in January and February — a 3.4-fold increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the State Statistics Committee.

Business trips accounted for the majority of arrivals, with over 2,200 Iranian visitors entering the country for work-related purposes. Around 630 tourists came for leisure, while 24 visited family members.

The State Committee for Tourism forecasts a strong year for the sector, expecting Uzbekistan to welcome 12 mln international visitors and 23 mln domestic travellers...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed renaming the city of Yangi Andijan to Bobur, in honor of the great historical figure Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur. The president emphasized the importance of preserving and celebrating Bobur’s legacy, which brought global recognition to the nation.

«His struggle for peace and justice from a young age, along with the courage and bravery he demonstrated throughout his life, serve as a profound lesson in patriotism and self-sacrifice,» Mirziyoyev stated during a recent address.

The president added that it would be fitting not only to name streets and squares...

In a thrilling second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Borussia Dortmund defeated Barcelona 3–1 in Dortmund on April 15. However, the Catalan side advanced to the semifinals thanks to their dominant 4–0 victory in the first leg, securing a 5–3 aggregate win.

Match Summary: Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy was the star of the night, scoring a stunning hat-trick that nearly turned the tie around. He opened the scoring with a composed penalty in the 11th minute, added a second early in the second half, and completed his hat-trick 27 minutes later.

But a...

Uzbekistan will not receive a planned $2.5 mln grant from the U.S. Department of State intended to support civic engagement, according to a statement from the U.S. Government Effectiveness Department (DOGE).

U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio has cancelled a total of $215 mln in international funding for various overseas projects, with Uzbekistan among the affected countries. The decision also impacts civil society development aid for Kyrgyzstan and funding to promote democratic values in Armenia.

The cancellation of the grants comes amid news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash the State Department’s financial aid budget by nearly...

Uzbekistan is set to introduce student visas for foreign nationals. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed the government to prepare the necessary regulations within a month.

According to the president, the influx of students from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China and India could help boost the export of medical education in Andijan to $20 mln annually.

Mirziyoyev highlighted that last year, a 650-bed clinic was transferred to the Andijan State Medical Institute. The government allocated 180 billion soums for its renovation and equipment, which will allow 11,000 students to study and undergo practical training.

The institute has also launched a simulation center...

Central Asian nations are considering the launch of a joint television channel and media platform, according to Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva. The announcement was made during the second Central Asian Media Forum.

The channel’s programming will focus on showcasing the region’s potential, as well as promoting friendship and unity among the peoples of Central Asia. Plans include a series of broadcasts dedicated to historical events and the rich cultural heritage of the region.

As a successful example of media collaboration, Balayeva highlighted the partnership between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and Uzbekistan’s Agency...

Uzbekistan exported over 2,400 tons of persimmons in January and February this year, totaling $1.3 mln in export revenue, according to data from the State Committee on Statistics (Naсkomstat).

The main buyer of Uzbek persimmons was Kazakhstan, which imported 1,200 tons. Russia followed with 940 tons, while Kyrgyzstan purchased 186.3 tons.

This year, Uzbekistan aims to export vegetables, fruits, and other food products worth $3.5 bn. The government also plans to expand into promising new markets, targeting over $440 mln in exports to those destinations.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that agricultural production in the country grew by...

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) posted a 42% year-on-year revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, reaching NT$839 bn (approximately $25.6 bn), the Company’s press office reported.

The January–March period results exceeded analyst expectations and aligned with the Company’s internal forecasts. Every month, March saw the strongest revenue growth, with net income up 46.5% compared to March 2024.

Analysts attribute TSMC’s strong performance to global demand for AI-related chips and semiconductors. TSMC is a major supplier for tech giants like Apple and Nvidia in this key area.

Despite the strong quarterly results, TSMC shares have fallen 23.7% on the...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has added four new companies to the national register of microfinance instititions (MFIs), following a decision by the regulator’s board.

The newly registered firms — Bright Future Financing Mikromoliya Tashkiloti, Muvaffaqiyat Mikromoliya Tashkiloti, Urban Finance Solutions Tashkiloti and Xon Saroy Moliya — are now authorised to provide microloans to the population.

As of April 2, over 120 microcredit organisations operate in Uzbekistan under licenses issued by the Central Bank. Since the beginning of 2025, the regulator has registered 19 new MFOs.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that microfinance organisation Delta issued bonds worth...

Uzbekistan has approved a programme for the development of the secondary government bond market, according to a government resolution.

The adopted document aims to modernise the budget system and enhance the efficiency of public spending and investments. The strategy for managing public debt over the next three years is expected to be implemented.

Plans include measures to support the secondary market for government bonds and the issuance of short-term securities.

Starting in September this year, the republic plans to provide government debt reports in the PSDS statistical database.

Uzbekistan exported more than 2,900 tonnes of peanuts in January and February this year, marking a 47.6% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the State Committee on Statistics.

Kazakhstan imported the largest share, purchasing 984 tonnes. Pakistan followed with 497 tonnes, and Azerbaijan ranked third with 371 tonnes.

As of early March, Uzbekistan had exported 193,000 tonnes of agricultural products in total — a 23% year-on-year decline.

Private investors injected $11 bn into US stocks after former President Donald Trump announced new trade tariffs in early April, Bloomberg reports.

Despite a stock market slump, investors remained undeterred. Tesla and Palantir Technologies attracted the most attention among retail buyers.

Bloomberg noted that retail investors continue to back US equities even as the S&P 500 experiences a sharp decline. Meanwhile, institutional investors have shifted their focus towards international markets and treasury bonds.

The world’s wealthiest individuals gained a combined $304 bn following the suspension of tariffs. Among them, Elon Musk — a close ally of Trump...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signs a contract to host the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, according to TASS.

The sporting events will take place across two mountainous regions in France. In July last year, the IOC confirmed the host locations for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympic Games.

The 2030 Games will mark the fourth time France hosts the Winter Olympics. The country previously held the Games in Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968, and Albertville in 1992.

Salt Lake City in the United States will host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Malaysia, Karomiddin Gadoev, has met with Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, Executive Director of Malaysia’s largest energy company, Malakoff Corporation Berhad, to discuss potential cooperation in the energy sector.

Uzbekistan outlined its strategic plans for expanding environmentally friendly energy sources, particularly hydroelectric power. The two sides considered opportunities for developing both small- and large-scale hydroelectric power stations across the country.

Anwar Syahrin expressed strong interest in collaborating with Uzbekistan and praised the country’s progress in advancing green energy initiatives. He also announced plans to visit Uzbekistan later this year to explore investment opportunities on the ground.