TASHKENT, October 20 (RIA Novosti) - Uzbekistan's GDP grew 7.3%, year-on-year, in January-September, the country's government press service said Friday.
Summing up the Central Asian state's social and economic performance over the first nine months of the year, the government said industrial production increased 10.2%, year-on-year, agricultural output 7.1% and consumer goods 20.9%. Contract construction works expanded 10.7%, retail trade turnover grew 12.2% and paid services 16.4%.
Absorbed investment saw a 10% rise, year-on-year, in the reporting period, and foreign investment and borrowings amounted to over $545 million. Exports grew 13%, with foreign trade surplus at $1.2 billion.
"The share of small businesses rose to 39% of GDP owing to the government's extra measures to support entrepreneurship and liberalize the business environment," the press service said.
