New initiative: Interest-free loans for low-income families in Uzbekistan  

In Uzbekistan, interest-free loans will now be allocated to poor families to support their involvement in entrepreneurship. This initiative is part of the Presidential Decree “On additional measures to improve the system of allocating financial assistance to attract the population to entrepreneurship and ensure employment,” which was adopted on February 14.  

According to the decree, instead of subsidies previously allocated to encourage entrepreneurship, provide working capital, and purchase equipment for family members listed in the Unified Register of Social Protection and the Register of Poor Families, a new system of interest-free loans will be implemented.  

Subsidies that are not in demand, have remained unused for an extended period, or have proven ineffective will be canceled. Additionally, overlapping subsidies will be consolidated to improve efficiency.  

Based on neighborhood specialization and key economic sectors, grants and interest-free loans will be allocated to poor families to engage in entrepreneurship and farming.  

Starting January 1, 2026, financial assistance in the form of cash will be provided to the population in stages through a social card system.  

To oversee this initiative, a Department for Assessing and Coordinating the Effectiveness of Subsidies, Loans, and Grants will be established within the Ministry of Economy and Finance by March 20, 2025.  

It is worth recalling that on February 14, during a dialogue with young people at the "Kuksaroy" residence, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that additional grants would be allocated to children from poor families in Uzbekistan. Moreover, part of the contract payment for education would be reimbursed. The President emphasized that education is the most effective solution to poverty reduction. Consequently, provisions will be made to ensure that at least one child from a low-income family can pursue higher education. Now, children from poor families are eligible for interest-free education loans, additional grants, and partial coverage of contract fees.