In the first half of 2013, Uzbekistan had absorbed 12.1 trillion soums(Currency rates of CB from 1.08.2013 1$=2107.93. soums), of investments. This figure compared with the same period in 2012 increased by 10.5%.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, of the total capital investment, 62.6% were aimed at productive purposes. The highest growth rates of investment have been provided at the expense of budget funds - 43.9%, of population - 26.1%, commercial banks’ loans - by 10.1%. In this case, of the total investments of more than 25% of the population were funds that characterize the growing investment activity of the population.

Implementation of measures to encourage foreign direct investment, strengthen the safeguards system and incentives for foreign investors and enterprises with foreign investments, contributed to the increase of assimilated foreign investment and loans by 13.2%, amounting to US$1.14b with the total volume of foreign investments and loans to US$854.9m, or 74.5%, were foreign direct investment. As part of the investment program, since the beginning of the year 141 new investment projects worth US$6.8b were launched, and 28 major investment projects were completed, including \"Introduction of Cogeneration Gas Turbine Technology at the JSC Tashkent Thermal Power Plant”, “Improvement of Samantepa and South Urtabulak fields with construction of a booster station and the gas pipeline South Urtabulak – the Muborak Gas Processing Plant (MGPP)\", \"Compensation of Retired Facilities at MGPP, desulfurization units number 16 and 17\" and others.

In addition, in the Navoi FIEZ two new projects for the production of automobile gas tanks, valves and fittings and products from polymers were commissioned. 6 investment projects worth more than US$58m are being implemented.

In the Angren SIZ the work on the implementation of 10 investment projects worth more than US$200m are continued, including the organization of the production of base oils from used oils at free capacities of the JV Uz-Priest Recycling, silicon, copper pipes of different diameter, sanitary ceramics, energy-saving LED lamps, brake systems for cars, coal briquette, and the construction of a new sugar factory and the creation of a leather complex. Also a study is carried out of issues and preparation of documents necessary for the implementation of an additional 21 projects.

As part of the measures for development of the newly established Jizzakh SIZ, in the second quarter of 2013 work has begun to accelerate development of transport, industrial and engineering infrastructure. The Protocol of the Administrative Council of the Jizzakh SIZ approved 93 projects promising for further development of their implementation in the SIZ.

(Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)