During a dialogue with business leaders, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized Uzbekistan’s goal of joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) by 2026. The move is seen as a crucial step to support domestic exporters and drive the country’s accelerated economic growth.
The president highlighted recent progress in entrepreneurship. Previously, 60% of new companies closed within their first year due to challenges such as access to credit, market opportunities, infrastructure, and frequent inspections. Now, 76% of business projects are over three years old, with their numbers surpassing 300 for the first time. Additionally, more than 100,000 individual entrepreneurs have reached the same milestone. In 2024, private business turnover increased by 25% compared to 2023, reaching $78 billion.