How much is Uzbekistan's foreign debt? The Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance provide various information

The total external debt of the Republic of Uzbekistan increased by 16% or 5.4 billion US dollars compared to the beginning of 2021 and amounted to 39.6 billion USD on 1 January of the current year. This is stated in the publication of the Central Bank «Balance of Payments, International Investment Position and External Debt of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021».

It is noted that, compared to the beginning of 2021, the state external debt has increased by 11%, or 2.4 billion dollars, to 23.7 billion dollars, and the unsecured external debt increased by 24%, or 3 billion dollars, to 15.8 billion dollars.

In 2021, foreign trade turnover (including non-monetary gold and amendments) amounted to $37.2 billion ($31.9 billion in 2020). Exports and imports amounted to $14.1 billion and $23 billion respectively, with a trade deficit of $8.9 billion.

It should be noted that as of 1 January, 2021, the foreign debt of Uzbekistan amounted to 34.2 billion dollars.

“The information on the external debt of the state has been provided by the Ministry of Finance, the percentages involved in the calculation of the balance of external debt, but unpaid have also been taken into account in calculating the external debt balance. Euro bonds issued in the international financial markets are also reflected in market prices at the end of 2021”-the publication says.

Earlier, the commentary on the macroeconomic indicators for 2021, published by the Ministry of Finance, stated that the gross foreign debt of Uzbekistan exceeded 40 billion dollars and amounted to 41.6 billion dollars for the first time last year.

For reference, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the size of Uzbekistan’s foreign debt was within the law and all of it is used for concrete purposes.