As earlier reported, GDP of Uzbekistan grew 9.4% year-on-year to 24.72 trillion soums in January-September 2008.

The State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan said the small business employed 73.6% of all occupied in economy or 8.109 million people. Individual sector employed 54.3% of all occupied in economy or 5.985 million people, while small enterprises and microfirms provided jobs to 19.3% of employees or 2.124 million people.

The small enterprises produced industrial goods for 2.182 trillion soums in nine months of 2008 or 13% of all industrial production of Uzbekistan. The growth rate made up 19.6% year-on-year. Agricultural output of the small businesses comprised 7.535 trillion soums (up 4.4% year-on-year) or 98% of total production.

As earlier reported, the industrial output in Uzbekistan grew 12.4% year-on-year to 16.762 trillion soums and agriculture output rose 4.1% year-on-year to 7.686 trillion soums in January-September 2008.

The small businesses utilized 21.7% of investments into fixed capital, which stand at 5.809 trillion soums in the reporting period.

About 47% of total retail trade turnover in Uzbekistan or 4.103 trillion soums fell to share of small businesses. The growth rate comprised 16.1% year-on-year. The small businesses rendered services to population for 1.450 trillion soums (up 16.1% year-on-year) or 48% of total volume.

The small businesses exported products for US$1.067 billion in January-September 2008 or 10.6% of total export volume of Uzbekistan. They imported goods for US$2.074 billion or 36.8% of total import volume.