Volume of loans provided to small businesses in Tashkent region grew more than 1.5 times Commercial banks of Uzbekistan are planning this year to allocate 313.4 billion soums (Exchange rate of CB 1USD-1811,86 soums) of loans to small businesses in Tashkent region. This was announced at a business forum ‘Entrepreneurship as a Foundation of the Family’. Managers of commercial banks and enterprises particularly stressed the significance of small business and entrepreneurship in the welfare of families. They noted that the development of the industry makes a big impact on the lifestyle of every family and people and is an important factor in improving living conditions. Last year Tashkent region took big efforts to create stable and enabling business environment, in order to accelerate the development of small and private businesses. In particular, in 2011 commercial banks issued more than 1.5 times more loans to small and private businesses as compared with 2010, which exceeded 293.6 billion soums. It is noteworthy that the volume of loans issued in remote areas with excessive manpower – Buka and Oqqurghon districts – grew more than 1.3 and 1.5 times, respectively. As a result the share of small businesses in the gross regional product reached 56.7%, generating more than 20,800 new jobs. In the Year of Family banks will continue active financial support of business projects offered by graduates of professional colleges and youths. Last year they got 21.9 and 2.8 billion soums respectively. Participants of the forum also identified the priorities for banks in the Year of Family, primarily in collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies, local regional authorities and international financial institutions for further improving the incomes and well-being of families through the financial support of small businesses and entrepreneurship. In addition, heads of commercial banks awarded the winners of the Project of the Year 2011 contest. Winners in 7 nominations received certificates for soft loans totaling 26.1 billion soums. (Source: Ut.uz)