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Finance

Business lending in Uzbekistan rises 20% in Q1 2026

Business lending in Uzbekistan rises 20% in Q1 2026
Business lending in Uzbekistan rises 20% in Q1 2026 / Photo: UzDaily.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan increased by 20.2% in January–March 2026 compared with the same period last year, reaching 35.1 trillion soums, according to data from the Central Bank.

Overall, 89.9 trillion soums in loans were directed into the economy from all sources during the first quarter of the year, up 9.1% compared with the same period in 2025.

Under state entrepreneurship support programs, the total volume of loans issued amounted to 7,992 billion soums, increasing by 11% year-on-year. A significant share of financing was allocated under the “Mahalla” program, which provided 4,260 billion soums, 36% more than a year earlier.

The continuous small business support program issued 1,331 billion soums in loans, up 12% compared with the same period last year. These funds were directed toward the development and expansion of existing enterprises.

Under the family entrepreneurship program, 1,253 billion soums were disbursed, while the “First Step in Business” initiative, aimed at supporting start-up entrepreneurs, provided 1,149 billion soums.

The reported figures reflect expanding access of entrepreneurs to financial resources and the growing scale of state support for business, including through mahalla-based mechanisms and programs targeting family and small business development.

Askar Yakubov
Askar Yakubov

Askar Yakubov is a professional photojournalist with extensive experience in news and reportage photography. He specializes in fast-paced coverage of social, political, cultural, international, business, and community events, with a sharp eye for capturing expressive shots and conveying the atmosphere of an event under tight time constraints. His skill set spans reportage, portrait, and documentary photography, along with image editing and color correction, and preparing photo materials for media and digital platforms. He is known for his professionalism, adherence to editorial standards, and ability to work both independently and as part of a shooting team.