Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Specialists from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Research (IMRI) analyzed the main trends in the activities of small businesses in the 9 months of 2023 (January-September).

Based on the results of 9 months of 2023 (January-September), the number of small businesses reached 418,7 00 in January-September 2023, of which 67,700 are newly created small businesses. Their share was in trade - 38.6%, in health care and social services - 1.7%.

During the analyzed period, the volume of exports of products (works and services) of small businesses amounted to US$5.3 billion or 30.1% of the total export volume. The highest share of exports by region was recorded in Surkhandarya region (74.7%), and the lowest share was recorded in Navoi region (8.3%).

The share of small businesses in the country’s exports increased by 2.7 percentage points. By region, the greatest growth was observed in Surkhandarya (15.7 p.p.), Ferghana (19.4 p.p.) and Tashkent regions (7.1 p.p.).

Industrial production by small businesses increased by 1.7 percentage points. compared to 9 months of 2022. The share of small businesses in the volume of general services provided was 47.2 percent.

During the period under review, the volume of investments of small businesses in fixed capital amounted to 118.1 trillion soum or increased by 13.8% compared to the corresponding period in 2022. At the same time, the volume of industrial production amounted to 119.1 trillion. soums (growth rate -15.5%), volume of construction work - 80.0 trillion soums (5.9%), in the service sector - 155.2 trillion soums (5.3%).

It should be noted that as a result of the ongoing reforms, the number of small businesses headed by women is increasing. By region, the share of small enterprises and micro-firms managed by women in Tashkent was 27.9%, followed by Tashkent (12.8%) and Samarkand (8.4%) regions, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan (6.6%).