Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On the eve of Entrepreneur’s Day, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) presented a review of the business climate in Uzbekistan based on a nationwide survey.

The findings indicate that more than one-third of entrepreneurs report improvements in business activity, while the majority anticipate rising demand and employment in the coming months.

General trends

According to the study, the composite Business Climate Index for July stood at 52 points, five points higher than a year earlier. This growth was driven primarily by stronger current business activity: the Current Business Conditions Index rose to 44 points, up 14 points compared to the same period last year.

The index reflects entrepreneurs’ assessment of actual business conditions, including sales, employment, demand, access to resources, and overall stability of the business environment.

At the same time, the Business Expectations Index decreased from 66 to 59 points, though it remains at a high level, indicating continued optimism among entrepreneurs regarding future prospects.

Key survey results

Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported improvements in business conditions over the past three months. Forty-two percent noted an increase in demand for goods and services. Twenty-four percent indicated an expansion of their workforce, reflecting greater business activity. Looking ahead, 66 percent expect further growth in demand, 53 percent anticipate an increase in employment, and 25 percent foresee rising prices.

Sectoral analysis

Agriculture: The business climate index reached 50 points, up four points from last year. Forty-one percent of entrepreneurs reported improvements, compared to 35 percent a year earlier. Seventy-nine percent expect further strengthening of their businesses.

Industry: The index climbed to 50 points, up six points. More than half of respondents (51 percent) described the current situation as satisfactory, while 21 percent reported increased employment. The Current Conditions Index rose from 20 to 44 points, reflecting a notable recovery in business activity.

Services: The index improved to 54 points, three points higher year-on-year. Nearly half of respondents (47 percent) rated their business conditions as good, and 39 percent reported improvements over the past three months. Sixty-four percent forecast further demand growth.

Construction: The index stood at 50 points, up five points. The Current Conditions Index increased from 28 to 38 points, while the Expectations Index edged up from 62 to 63 points. Forty-two percent of entrepreneurs reported improvements in business conditions over the past three months, compared with 25 percent a year earlier.

Conclusion

The CERR analysis confirms the steady strengthening of the entrepreneurial environment in Uzbekistan. Despite an adjustment in expectations, business activity continues to grow, and confidence in future prospects remains strong.