Aggregate capital of Uzbek commercial banks increased by 15.1% year-on-year to 1.1 trillion soums as of 1 April 2007.

The board of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan held a session to sum up results for the first quarter of 2007 and perspectives of banking system.

The session said the assets of the bank grew by 28% year-on-year to 7.516 trillion soums in the reporting period.

Balance of population’s deposit at the commercial banks increased by 51% year-on-year to 744.8 billion soums as of 1 April 2007.

The Uzbek banks issued credits for 192.4 billion soums as of 1 April 2007 to support small and private businesses, as well as farmers.

The number of issued plastic cards increased from 2.3 million as of 1 April 2006 to 3.3 million as of 1 April 2007.

At the same time, the board of Central Bank criticized some existing problems, including low-level of capitalization and competition in the banking sector. It was said some Uzbek bank do not participate in investment processes.

The board set priorities for 2007, which included decrease of off-banking turnover of cash, ensure timely issue of cash from deposits, increase capitalization of banks, issue of shares to attract free resources of population and businesses, including foreign investors.