Uzbekistan business activity index rises 20.6% in March

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s Business Activity Index, calculated by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, reached 1,206 points in March 2026, rising 20.6% compared to the previous month. In annual terms, the index grew by 22.7%.

Positive dynamics were recorded across most components of the index. The number of banking operations of business entities increased by 4.3%, while the indicator reflecting the number of active enterprises rose by 3.8%. At the same time, the component linked to trademark registrations declined by 8.1%.

The most significant contribution to overall growth came from exchange activity. Procurement intensity on the Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange increased by 46.2%.

The number of concluded deals grew 2.1 times, despite a 14.6% decline in the average volume per transaction.

Total turnover across 34 key commodity groups reached 7,460 billion soums, up 18.5% compared to the previous month. Strong growth was recorded in nitrogen-phosphate fertilizers, up 93.1 times, reinforcing steel bars up 6.5 times, rolled ferrous metals up 4 times, and polypropylene up 3.4 times.

Growth in the index was observed across all regions of the country. The highest rates were recorded in Andijan region, where the indicator increased by 47.8%, followed by Surkhandarya, Khorezm, and Samarkand regions with growth of 43.7%, 42.3%, and 41.8% respectively.

During the reporting period, the number of interbank payment transactions amounted to 7.05 million, increasing by 292,200 transactions, or 4.3% compared to February. Growth in transactions between legal entities was recorded in 13 regions, with the most notable increases in Andijan, Fergana, Syrdarya, and Surkhandarya regions. In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the indicator decreased by 1.1%.

The total number of active business entities increased by 2,557 to reach 511,000. The number of large enterprises rose to 4,719, while small enterprises reached 417,300. The number of farms decreased by 185 to 89,100.

The trademark registration component stood at 0.9186 points. During the month, legal entities registered 395 trademarks and product names.