OREANDA-NEWS. January 17, 2013. Widescale reforms on development of small businesses and private enterprises, conducted under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, have given significant results. The measures, consistently carried out by the banking and financial sector, to create a conducive business climate are creating new opportunities for further business development.

One of the main purposes of the banking system is to win full confidence and trust of businesspeople. It should be particularlu noted that banks in our country function in all areas of financial services and achieve tangible results in their activity.

The Uzbek banking system is frequently rated as “stable” by reputable international rating agencies, which indicates that our banks operate in accordance with international standards. Bank stability contributes to the fact that, given the customers’ requirements, the quality and scope of provided services have expanded.

"Ijtimoiy Fikr" Center for the Study of Public Opinion studies public opinion in many areas of society. In particular, special attention is paid to the evaluation of the banking system by the public.

Research in this area is conducted regularly, and the main results of opinion polls are brought to the public via the media.

A research by the Center on the results of 2012 on "The role of the banking system in the development of the family business and business support, as well as attitudes of the public and business community on the credibility of the banking system" has been held recently by the Centre.

People employed in rural and remote areas in the small business and private enterprises, family business owners, as well as young entrepreneurs and women in business participated in the survey. Representatitive sample covered all categories of businesses, including family-owned business, farmers, individual entrepreneurs, small and micro enterprises. Anattention was also paid to recent graduates of professional colleges and women entrepreneurs.

The survey participants highlighted the activity of People's Bank,  Agrobank, Microcreditbank, National Bank of Foreign Economic Activity, Industrial-construction bank of Uzbekistan, Asaka Bank, Qishloq Qurilish bank,  Aloqabank and Trastbank.

On the question of how they would rate the activity of bank in question, 98.4 percent of respondents answered "positively". Compared with previous surveys, the share of "good" and "high" rates were up.

Reliability and and relative comfort of keeping savings in banks was underlined by 94.9 percent of respondents. They attribute this to the fact that the bank deposits offer good returns and are fully guaranteed by the government.

When deciding to deposit savings to the bank the first crucial factor is "Trust in the bank," and the second "The high quality of service."

The survet results showed that the quality of banking services provided to customers, are constantly improving. This was noted the majority of respondents - 96.8 percent. In addition, the respondents expressed a positive opinion on the use of electronic and plastic cards. They also noted the desirability of further expanding the range of services.

One of the main directions of the survey was to identify efficiency of loans. Examination of of business projects submitted to obtain loans from commercial banks, showed that the priorities are establishment of business and working capital, organization and development of the production and provision of services through the purchase of modern equipment, construction of buildings on the basis of modern requirements, upgrading existing ones.

Many respondents emphasized the favorable terms of microfinancing by banks and recognized that this creates great opportunities to establish business.

The results of the survey of the "Ijtimoiy Fikr" center indicate that the public has a great interest in the banking system of Uzbekistan on support of small business and entrepreneurship, as well as development of family business and entrepreneurship among young people and women. Their views will serve as a valuable resource for the development of proposals aimed at increasing the efficiency of the banking system of Uzbekistan.