According to a report by the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, the share of small enterprises in Uzbekistan's gross domestic product reached 50.5 percent during January to June 2026. These enterprises generated revenue amounting to 518.7 trillion soums.
As of July 1, 2026, there were 1,236,100 small enterprises operating in the country. Among them were 526,700 small enterprises and micro-firms, including small farmers and commercial farms; 375,100 individual entrepreneurs; 334,400 farms; 23,200 artisans; 5,100 family businesses, and 1,100 importers.
These figures indicate that there are 32.2 such entities per 1,000 residents. The highest concentration of small businesses is observed in Tashkent (50.4%), as well as in Khorezm, Syrdarya, and Navoi regions (46.3%, 41.1%, and 38.1%, respectively).
During the six-month period, 44,000 new small enterprises and micro-firms were created, excluding commercial farms and small farmers. The largest number of new businesses opened in the trade sector (15,657), industry (5,450), agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (5,368), as well as in accommodation and catering (4,115).
Small businesses make the most significant contribution to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, accounting for 95.4 percent of the total production volume in this sector, which reached 257.1 trillion soums, an increase of 4.2 percent. In the construction industry, small businesses provided 76.9 percent of the volume (143.9 trillion soums), showing a growth of 12.9 percent. Their share in the service sector was 76.6 percent (374.2 trillion soums), increasing by 15.8 percent. Furthermore, small businesses participated in 58.2 percent of transport, storage, information, and communications.
In the industrial sector, small enterprises produced goods worth 180.3 trillion soums, representing 28.3 percent of the country's total industrial output, demonstrating an 8.2 percent growth compared to the previous year. Retail trade is almost entirely in the hands of small businesses, as their share of turnover in trade reached 80.3 percent (202.1 trillion soums), an 18 percent increase. Capital investments by small enterprises grew by 22.4 percent to 225.3 trillion soums, covering 66.5 percent of all investments in the country.
Exports of products by small businesses during the reporting period amounted to 7.48 billion US dollars, corresponding to 47.2 percent of the country's total exports. Imports reached 13 billion dollars, equivalent to 51.8 percent of the total import volume, indicating that more than half of the goods and services imported into Uzbekistan pass through small enterprises.
In road transport, small enterprises provide the main part of passenger transport, accounting for 90.9% of passenger volume and 95.2% of passenger turnover. The share of small businesses is lower in freight transport—57.1% by freight volume and 77.6% by freight turnover—but these indicators have been steadily growing for the third consecutive year.
According to a press release from the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, enterprises in Uzbekistan produced industrial output worth 637.2 trillion UZS between January and June 2026. This figure demonstrates an 8% growth compared to the same period last year.
As of July 2026, there were 63,300 industrial enterprises operating in the country. The largest number of enterprises was engaged in food production (12,700, or 20.1%), production of other non-metallic mineral products (8,900, or 14%), and light industry (6,400, or 10.1%).
Almost a quarter (42%) of the country's total industrial output is concentrated in just two regions: Navoi (155 trillion UZS) and the city of Tashkent (109.6 trillion UZS), as well as the Tashkent region (100 trillion UZS). These three regions also showed the highest output per capita: 139 million UZS in Navoi, 34.3 million UZS in Tashkent, and 31.5 million UZS in the Tashkent region, exceeding the national average of 16.6 million UZS.
Nevertheless, the growth rate of production per capita, which exceeded the average national indicator by 106.1%, was recorded in the regions of Jizzakh (110.3%), Samarkand (107.8%), and Andijan (107.4%), indicating that territories with smaller industrial bases are outpacing market leaders.
The manufacturing industry formed the basis of the industrial structure, accounting for 549.7 trillion UZS, or 86.3% of the total volume. Mineral extraction and quarrying brought in 42.4 trillion UZS (6.7%); electricity and gas production reached 41.7 trillion UZS (6.5%); while water supply and waste management totaled 3.3 trillion UZS (0.5%).
Within the manufacturing sector, the largest share was held by the production of food, beverages, and tobacco products (16.8%), followed by metal products, machinery, equipment, and motor vehicles (16.3%), textiles, clothing, and leather goods (13.9%), and chemical products, rubber, and plastic products (6.6%).
Car production increased significantly: passenger car output rose to 235,800 units from 209,000 the previous year, and truck production increased to 2,750 from 2,300. The sharpest growth was demonstrated by BYD models, which almost doubled to 13,400 units, as well as Cobalt models, reaching 83,000 units. Automotive engine production increased to 126,700 units.
Among other major goods produced during the six-month period were 18.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas, 313,800 tons of crude oil, 2.5 million tons of coal, 614,200 tons of motor gasoline, 568,000 tons of diesel fuel, 10.1 million tons of Portland cement, 433,600 tons of yarn, and 724,100 tons of wheat and spelt flour. However, natural gas extraction decreased from 21.9 to 18.3 billion cubic meters, as did crude oil and gas condensate extraction.
Electricity generation reached 44.1 billion kWh in January–June 2026, which is 5.7% more than the previous year. Large enterprise generation decreased to 29.8 billion kWh, while small business generation grew by almost 37% to 14.3 billion kWh, reflecting the expansion of distributed generation.
Conversely, thermal power generation by large enterprises decreased by 18.1% to 9.3 million Gcal. Gas obtained through underground coal gasification was not produced in January–June 2026.
In the water supply and waste disposal sector, the volume of textile waste increased by 12.7% to 13,400 tons, and wastewater treatment services grew by 12.3% to 371.7 billion UZS.
The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, chaired a video conference dedicated to the results of the country's socio-economic development in the first half of the year and the determination of priority tasks for the remainder of the year.
Mirziyoyev instructed officials participating in the meeting not to limit themselves merely to reports on completed work. He emphasized the need for a clear explanation of what new internal reserves have been discovered, what mechanisms have been created for their effective use, and what specific results are planned to be achieved by the end of the year.
Furthermore, the president stressed that in the context of a changing global environment, every employee must work with additional development scenarios and be prepared for various possible outcomes.
Since the beginning of the year, Uzbekistan's economy has shown growth at the level of 8.5%. Industrial production increased by 8%, the service sector by 16.9%, construction by 13.8%, and agriculture by 4.7%. The volume of investments reached 28 billion US dollars, and exports amounted to 14.4 billion US dollars. International rating agencies Fitch and Moody's raised Uzbekistan's sovereign credit rating by one step.
Nevertheless, the president noted that for the further improvement of the population's living standards, which numbers 40 million people, the country requires sustainable economic growth of 9–10%.
A critical analysis of the fulfillment of six-month plans was conducted at the meeting by heads of regional and industry structures. It was observed that in some regions, the existing potential was not fully utilized to increase the gross regional product, develop the construction industry, and attract investment.
Due to the ongoing instability of the world economy, additional financial funds are being allocated to regions, districts, and cities to implement projects in entrepreneurship and social infrastructure development. The President strongly stated that if the activities of any minister or hokim do not lead to a tangible improvement in people's quality of life and do not facilitate business conditions, the achieved figures remain only 'paper statistics.'
He also firmly stated that under current circumstances, no minister, hokim, or sector head has the right to operate without consequences if they fail to meet monthly, quarterly, or annual plans.
Special attention was paid to the implementation of a new model for organizing the work of the 'mahalla seven' system. It was noted that all main approaches were explained in detail last week, and specific tasks were assigned to responsible persons. As part of this work, the 'Active 40 Days' program was announced, which launches a fundamentally new system of labor organization in two thousand of the most problematic mahallas.
In these mahallas, tripartite agreements between hokims, mahalla chairmen, and territorial employment service units were revised. Hokims were delegated personal responsibility for the timely resolution of issues related to electricity, gas, and water supply, as well as road infrastructure in two thousand of the most problematic mahallas. Employment service leaders will work directly in the field, providing targeted assistance to residents, organizing professional training, and helping with employment and income increase.
Leaders of the mahalla system were also tasked with improving all 8992 mahallas in the country, including landscaping streets and residential areas, planting trees and seedlings, and maintaining irrigation canals in proper condition.
The President expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the work of banks at the mahalla level, sharply criticizing the heads of territorial departments of the Central Bank and directors of state banking branches. It was noted that the current year will be a testing period and a year of practical evaluation for heads of regional and district banks, as well as organizations of the mahalla system. Only those leaders who demonstrate real results will remain in their posts during the next three months; those who cannot ensure positive changes will be dismissed.
The Prosecutor's Office and the Accounts Chamber were instructed to monitor the organization of work in each mahalla and the real changes occurring on the ground. The meeting also included an assessment of work on improving mahallas, sanitary order, living culture, and cooperation with private households, while emphasizing the importance of expanding the activities of management companies in individual housing construction.
The President stated that the country is creating all necessary conditions for citizens wishing to start their own businesses and enter foreign markets. Currently, 51 ministries and departments are authorized to impose financial fines in 322 districts. In the period from 2024 to 2026, the total amount of imposed fines reached almost 3 trillion sums.
The President demanded that heads of departments with sanctioning powers change their attitude towards entrepreneurs and their approach to work. He emphasized that before punishing businesses, state bodies must learn to provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to correct violations and help them find the right solutions.
Amid increasing competition in global markets, the issue of reducing payments and commissions charged to producers and exporters was also raised at the meeting. As an example, it was noted that the export of one truckload of cherries incurs additional costs—customs duties, fumigation, certification, and customs broker services—reaching 5 million sums.
Following the discussion, all ministers and sector heads were instructed to submit proposals to the Presidential Administration within a week for the radical reduction of bureaucratic procedures, fines, payments, and commissions in relevant sectors, as well as for improving the business climate.
The results of work in industry and exports for the first half of the year were analyzed. It was noted that after the first quarter, the hokims of 13 districts that failed to meet industrial production targets, as well as the hokims of 15 districts that recorded a decrease in export volumes, were subjected to disciplinary measures. According to the president, most officials drew appropriate conclusions and ensured the fulfillment of semi-annual forecast indicators.
However, it was noted that in many districts and cities, the pace of industrial growth remains unsatisfactory. For example, in Yangiabad district, the projected industrial growth of 5.7% actually amounted to only 1.8%. A slowdown in growth was also observed in the city of Gazgan, as well as in the districts of Muzrabad, Kiziriq, and Oltiarik.
The export situation also drew criticism. It was noted that a number of districts and cities failed to achieve positive changes, raising concerns about the district heads of Kasbi, Denov, Tashkent, Pakhtaabad, Jomboy, Tailak, Bandikhon, Mirzachul, and Yaziavan, as well as the cities of Jizzakh, Navoi, and Bektemirsky district in Tashkent.
After the discussion, the Prime Minister was instructed to conduct an assessment of the suitability of 17 hokims for their positions on the same day. The President also warned that if the situation does not change by the end of the ninth month, strict measures will be taken against deputy regional hokims.
The expenses of strategically important enterprises were examined separately. It was noted that industry departments had previously reported a percentage decrease in total costs, presenting this as a reduction in product cost. However, the analysis of the unit production cost provided a more objective picture. At the Navoiy Mining and Metallurgical Combine, the cost of producing one ounce of gold increased by 8.2%, and the company's total expenses increased by 6.2 trillion sums, or 22% compared to the previous year. At the Uzbek Metallurgical Combine, the cost of producing steel balls increased by 5.4%. At Uzkimosanoat, the cost of producing urea increased by 11.1%, and nitric acid by 8.3%.
It was also noted that Franklin Templeton analyzed 13 large enterprises considered for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The operations of Uzbekistan Airways were cited as an example. It was found that due to a suboptimal route network, large intervals between flights, numerous delays, and lack of competition in catering and technical maintenance, the company loses about 120 million US dollars in revenue annually.
The meeting noted that Uzbekistan will require 8 billion US dollars over the next ten years to develop its energy infrastructure. At the same time, it was noted that efforts to increase revenue by reducing losses in the power grid remain insufficient. In the first half of the year, electricity losses amounted to 17.2%, or 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours. Losses in gas distribution networks reached 7.6%, equivalent to 797 million cubic meters of gas. It was also noted that labor productivity at enterprises of territorial gas distribution networks is 1.5–2 times lower than in neighboring countries.
According to Franklin Templeton's analysis, the market value of Hududiy Elektr Tarmoqlari could double. The company also assessed the potential to increase the market value of Uzbekistan Airways by 40% and Uztelecom by 50%.
It was noted at the meeting that existing opportunities to increase tax revenues are not being fully utilized. Tax revenues increased by 27% since the beginning of the year, exceeding 130 trillion sums. However, the annual plan for additional tax revenues was met by only 40%, amounting to 12 trillion sums. Criticism was directed at the first deputies of regional hokims, who were alleged to have insufficiently interacted with enterprises regarding tax revenues. The Bukhara region was given as an example, where 162 enterprises with an annual turnover exceeding 100 million sums operated at a loss for three consecutive years and consequently paid no profit tax.
It was also noted that 1500 enterprises not paying VAT relied on the VAT deduction mechanism. As a result, the first deputy hokim of the Bukhara region was removed from office. As of July 1, the authority for tax administration for 498 large taxpayers was transferred to the regional level. The President emphasized that there are now no excuses for failing to meet the set tasks. The first deputies of regional hokims and heads of territorial tax authorities were instructed to work closely with these enterprises and ensure timely and full payment of taxes to the budget.
At the meeting, it was noted that 16 textile enterprises are currently non-operational due to protracted legal disputes related to loan repayment, despite most of them possessing modern production capacities. As a result, the economy loses about 5 trillion sums in production volume annually, and unrealized exports reach 400 million US dollars. It was noted that some banks already have successful experience in reviving such enterprises. The Tashkent Cotton enterprise was cited as an example, where an external management team was introduced. Thanks to the measures taken, the enterprise's activity was restored, and this year it has already exported products worth 10 million US dollars. Following the discussion, officials were instructed to appoint curators for the remaining enterprises and ensure the complete restoration of their production activities.
It was noted at the meeting that since the beginning of the year, 57 industry and 76 territorial enterprises have reduced their production volumes by a total of 11 trillion sums. The Deputy Prime Minister was instructed, together with regional hokims and sector heads, to conduct a detailed analysis of the activity of each enterprise within ten days. It was emphasized that all identified problems must be resolved at the local level. The Industry Council was tasked with preparing proposals for compensation...
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