Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Coordination Council for the implementation of the National Strategy for Increasing the Availability of Financial Services approved the National Strategy for Increasing Financial Inclusion for 2021-2023, developed by the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This document was prepared with the assistance of experts from the World Bank, taking into account the results of a population survey conducted by the International Finance Corporation in order to comprehensively and objectively assess the level of financial literacy and financial inclusion in the country.

The main goal of which is to create a dynamic, innovative and inclusive financial system with access to quality financial products and services for all segments of the population, including for low-income citizens living in rural areas and small businesses not covered by quality financial services.

Within the framework of the National Strategy, the following reforms are envisaged in the coming years:

- increasing coverage of basic financial services by expanding bank service points, introducing alternative methods of providing banking services and creating a network of banking agents;

- development of digital financial services by creating favorable conditions for new fintech companies to enter the market, introducing a remote identification system, modernizing the national payment system;

- expanding financing of small businesses through the development of various financial instruments aimed at financing entrepreneurial projects and developing the activities of non-bank credit institutions;

- strengthening the protection of the rights of consumers of financial services by ensuring openness and transparency of information on financial products and services, introducing effective mechanisms for resolving complaints and disputes;

- increasing the financial literacy of the population and entrepreneurs by raising awareness of the population about financial services through the media, introducing the "Financial Literacy" curriculum in general education and non-economic educational institutions, as well as developing educational programs to improve financial literacy.

These reforms will help to increase the financial literacy of the population, increase the popularity and availability of basic financial services, strengthen public confidence in credit and payment institutions, ensure the stability of the financial system and economic growth, as well as reduce the share of the shadow economy in the country.