President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting reviewing 2023 economic outcomes and 2024 plans. GDP grew by 6.5%, industrial output by 7.1%, and agriculture by 4.5%.

State budget revenues exceeded the plan by 2.3 trillion soums, reaching 98.5 trillion soums. Inflation stood at 8.8%, down 2.3 percentage points from the previous year.

Exports rose to $24.5 billion (up $4.2 billion), led by gold, cotton fiber, gas, and chemicals. However, imports reached $32.1 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $7.6 billion.

Investment: $23.5 billion in foreign direct investment was attracted. Major projects include new plants with Chinese, Russian, and Turkish companies, transport infrastructure modernization, and energy sector reforms.

Social indicators: household incomes grew 12.5%, but poverty remains at 11.2%. Experts highlight persistent challenges: corruption, monopolies, and labor market imbalances.

Source: uznews.uz