September 3, 19:15UzDaily

Business optimism level in Tashkent increased in the second quarter of 2026

According to the business activity survey published by the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the share of entrepreneurs in Tashkent and the Tashkent region who reported an improvement in business conditions reached 53 percent in the second quarter of 2026. This figure demonstrates an increase of three percentage points compared to 50 percent recorded in the same period of 2025.

The research results show that 51 percent of respondents noted an increase in order volumes, whereas this indicator was 47 percent in Q2 2025. Furthermore, 50 percent of participating enterprises reported an increase in production volume, which is higher than 43 percent a year earlier.

Entrepreneurs also pointed to growing demand for additional labor—43 percent of surveyed business owners noted this growth compared to 41 percent a year earlier. Additionally, 43 percent noted an increase in cargo transportation volumes, rising from 42 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, 37 percent of respondents reported higher payments on loans and debt servicing, which is higher than 36 percent in the corresponding period of 2025.

The annual increase in industrial capacity utilization in regional enterprises amounted to 18 percentage points.

Forecasts for the upcoming quarter

Forecasts for the next quarter indicate sustained optimism. It is expected that 51 percent of entrepreneurs predict an increase in order volumes, which is higher than 50 percent in 2025. Moreover, 46 percent expect an expansion of production volume, compared to 45 percent a year ago. It is projected that the demand for additional labor will increase by 45 percent among respondents, exceeding 44 percent in Q2 2025. Order growth is expected primarily in the manufacturing, agricultural, and construction sectors.

Long-term expectations have also significantly risen: 82 percent of surveyed entrepreneurs expressed confidence in the overall economic and business environment over the next three years. This represents an increase of 25 percentage points compared to 57 percent registered in the second quarter of 2025.

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uzdaily.uzAugust 27, 11:51

Tashkent aims to attract $9 billion in investments by 2026

The Mayor of Tashkent, Shavkat Umurzakov, announced that by the end of 2026, the capital of Uzbekistan plans to attract $9 billion in investments and increase export volume to $4 billion. These statements were made during the opening ceremony of new urban projects together with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In the first eight months of 2026, the capital has already secured $5.6 billion in investments. For comparison, Tashkent attracted $2.7 billion in 2024. Umurzakov explained the acceleration of targets due to high-tech projects and the development of high value-added production.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized the scale of the capital's investment strategy, noting that Tashkent should become a model of regional development for all of Uzbekistan.

Central Initiative in Expansion Strategy

A key element of the capital's expansion strategy is the multimodal logistics complex, which is being developed in partnership with DP World from Dubai. The management of the Emirati company invited President Mirziyoyev to the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for October. This terminal is designed to handle up to 120 million tons of cargo and 150,000 containers.

Fourteen upcoming projects were presented during the ceremony, including four industrial enterprises and two tourist attractions. It is projected that after reaching full capacity in about three years, these facilities will produce goods worth $3 billion annually and contribute $1.5 billion to export volumes.

Progress was also presented on the special industrial zone, opened by the president in November 2024. Municipal authorities intend to launch another 22 projects worth $500 million in this zone by the end of 2026. The total project portfolio of the zone has reached $1.2 billion across 26 initiatives, ten of which are set to start before the end of the current year.

Details of the Logistics Hub Project

The DP World project involves the construction of a multimodal logistics hub worth over $288 million through a joint venture, DP World Tashkent. This enterprise is established between DP World (85%) and the municipal entity Tashkent Invest (15%). The complex covers 82 hectares in the Yangi Avlod Special Industrial Zone, which is managed by CAMCE from China.

The planned infrastructure includes a dry port connected to the railway, customs facilities under customs control, Class A warehouses, vehicle storage areas, and cargo handling terminals. The first phase of the logistics hub focuses on a railway terminal with an annual capacity of 150,000 TEU and a warehouse area of 63,000 square meters.

This hub is intended to strengthen trade ties between Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe through direct integration into Uzbekistan's railway system, main road networks, and Tashkent International Airport.

Umurzakov also noted that the global management firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) included Tashkent among the top three fastest-growing cities in the world, alongside Shenzhen and Riyadh. The reason cited for this recognition is the ongoing structural reforms and economic modernization.