Kursiv Uzbekistan (Eng)

💰 Bank Lending in Uzbekistan Jumps 36% in 2025 📈 Commercial banks in Uzbekistan issued 390 trln soums ($32 bn) in loans last year, a 36% rise compared with 2024, driven by stronger business activity and expanded financial support. 💵 Loans in the national currency led growth, reaching 276.4 trln soums ($22.7 bn). Individuals received 156.8 trln ($12.9 bn), legal entities 108.8 trln ($8.9 bn), and individual entrepreneurs 10.8 trln ($885 mln). 🌍 Foreign currency lending also rose to 113.6 trln soums ($9.3 bn), mostly going to legal entities, with individual entrepreneurs receiving 441.5 bn ($36 mln). #Finance

🚀 Uzbekistan Surges 43 Places in World Bank’s 2026 Women, Business and the Law Index 🌍 Uzbekistan jumped 43 spots to 48th out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s 2026 «Women, Business and the Law» report, scoring 82.1/100 for its legal frameworks supporting women’s economic participation. The country achieved a perfect 100 in Mobility, Family, Pay, Childcare, and Assets. 💼 The rise was driven by major reforms in labor and pension regulations, including gender-responsive public procurement, incentives for female entrepreneurs, equal pay mandates, and the removal of outdated work restrictions for women. The Labor score nearly doubled from 50 to 91.75, while the Pension indicator increased to 66.75. ⚖️ Despite strong legal progress, the report notes a gap between written law and enforcement. Uzbekistan scored 59.08 for supportive frameworks and 57.20 for enforcement perceptions, reflecting ongoing challenges in turning legislation into tangible outcomes. 📈 Economically, reforms have boosted women’s participation and entrepreneurship. About 2.1 million women now run businesses — a sevenfold increase since 2020 — accounting for roughly 35% of all employed women in the national economy. 🔧 The World Bank recommends strengthening social incentives, workplace safety regulations, and monitoring systems to fully realise the impact of these legal reforms. #Finance

💰 Microfinance and Pawnshop Loans in Uzbekistan Hit $2.62 bn in 2025 📊 Microfinance organisations and pawnshops in Uzbekistan issued 31.8 trillion soums ($2.62 bn) in loans in 2025, doubling the 2024 figure, according to the Central Bank. 🏦 MFOs accounted for 28.9 trillion soums, while pawnshops provided 2.9 trillion. Individuals made up 91% of borrowers, with most personal loans under 10 million soums. Companies represented 9%, with a significant share borrowing between 200 and 300 million soums. 📈 The sector continued expanding, with 32 new MFOs and 234 branches launching in 2025. By January, 223 institutions were operating nationwide. 📍 Tashkent recorded the highest concentration, with 77 MFOs and 46 pawnshops, followed by Fergana region with 20 MFOs and five pawnshops. #Finance