Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The volume of the total external debt of Uzbekistan as of 1 October 2021 made up US$37.6 billion, having increased by 11% or by US$3.7 billion compared to the beginning of this year, the Central bank of Uzbekistan said in a report.

In particular, for 9 months of 2021, the net growth of public external debt, taking into account changes in the exchange rate and prices, increased by 7% or by US$1.5 billion and amounted to US$22.9 billion at the end of the reporting period.

At the same time, the public sector received loans totaling US$2.5 billion, of which US$635 million were issued securities at a rate of 3.9% for a period of 10 years and 2.5 trillion soums at a rate of 14% for a period of 3 years were placed on 12 July 2021.

The growth in private sector debt as of 1 October 2021 reached US$14.7 billion, an increase of 18% or US$2.2 billion compared to the beginning of the year, the bulk of this growth accounted for mainly in the banking sector and other sectors.

For 9 months of 2021, the private sector attracted borrowings in the amount of US$4.7 billion. Of these borrowings, US$2.2 billion accounted for the banking sector, US$1.1 billion for the oil and gas and energy sector, US$447.2 million for the mining and metallurgical sector and US$1 billion - to other sectors of the economy.

It should be noted that during the reporting period, securities of UZAUTO MOTORS JSC were placed in the amount of US$300 million at a rate of 4.85% for a period of 5 years, as well as Ipoteka Bank JSC in the amount of 785 billion soums at a rate of 16% for a period of 3 years.

At the same time, during the period under review on the state external debt, the repayment of the main debt and interest was carried out in the amount of US$621.8 million and US$307.6 million, respectively.

Payments on private external debt amounted to US$2.4 billion in principal and US$331.1 million in interest.

At the same time, banks, as well as enterprises of the oil and gas and energy sectors, make the largest volume of payments both for principal and interest.

As of 1 October 2021, loans and borrowings predominate in the structure of gross external debt (81% or US$33.6 billion).

The ratio of gross external debt to GDP, excluding other liabilities, was 57%.