Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - As of 1 April 2019, the total external debt of Uzbekistan exceeded US$19.1 billion, according to the report of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.

In the first quarter of 2019, the country’s total external debt grew by 10.3% or US$1.8 billion.

Uzbekistan’s state external debt as of 1 April 2019 was US$11.74 billion and increased by US$1.65 billion compared to the beginning of 2019.

The increase in debt in the first quarter mainly accounted for the public sector - US$1.7 billion, of which US$1 billion - on international bonds.

Private external debt increased by US$121.3 million and amounted to US$7.33 billion as of 1 April 2019.

It should be noted that in the first quarter of 2019, the private sector attracted loans totaling US$361.3 million. Borrowing was mainly carried out by banks - US$326.7 million, textile companies - US$4.7 million and enterprises of other sectors of the economy - US$29.8 million

At the same time, for the period under review, the principal and interest were repaid in the amount of US$113.6 million and US$63.1 million, respectively, for the state external debt.

Payments on private external debt made up US$291.6 million in principal and US$48.5 million in interest. At the same time, the enterprises of oil and gas and energy, as well as the banking sector continue to make the largest volume of payments both on the principal debt and on interest.