OREANDA-NEWS  On 06 March was announced, that measures, undertaken by the government of Uzbekistan, to support and stimulate small businesses, yielded in high growth of production in the sector, the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said.

Share of small business in GDP was 48.2% in 2008, including small enterprises – 9.2, microfirms – 20.3% and individual entrepreneurs – 18.7%.

The committee said small businesses provided jobs for 8.024 mln people or 72.7% of total employed in the economy of Uzbekistan. About 5.859 mln people employed in individual sector and 2.164 mln persons in small enterprises and microfirms.

Small businesses also produced 3.3 trillion soums or 13.9% of total industrial production in Uzbekistan. The growth rate of industrial output by small businesses made up 21.8% in 2008.

About 97.8% of total agriculture production or 10.248 trillion soums fell to share of small businesses (up 4.4% year-on-year).

Small businesses utilized 1.883 trillion soums of investments in fixed capital of Uzbekistan, which made up 22.2% of total investments.

The businesses executed construction works for 2.034 trillion soums or 58.5% of total construction works in Uzbekistan (growth rate – 18.8% year-on-year).

The committee said that small businesses of Uzbekistan formed 47.2% of total retail trade turnover or 5.929 trillion soums (the growth rate – 14.7%), 49.1% of total rendered paid services to population or 2.195 trillion soums (18.1%).

About 12.3% of total exports or USD 1.421 bln in 2008 were carried out by small businesses. They also imported goods for USD 2.889 bln in 2008, which made up 38.5% of total imports of Uzbekistan.