BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 2. Uzbekistan’s
commercial banks issued 2,362 loans totaling 35.9 billion soums
(about $3 million) under the "From Poverty to Prosperity" program
as of October 1, 2026, to help households acquire equipment, expand
income-generating activities and develop small-scale
production.
According to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the loans financed
purchases of fixed assets, including 925 sewing machines worth 13.2
billion soums (around $1.1 million), 419 food production equipment
units valued at 7.1 billion soums (approx. $591,913) and 496
laptops totaling 5.6 billion soums (about $466,861).
Borrowers also used the financing to purchase 272 motor vehicles
worth 5.4 billion soums (around $450,187) and 250 other fixed
assets valued at 4.5 billion soums (approx. $375,156).
Xalq Bank issued the most loans, providing 1,587 loans totaling
23.6 billion soums (about $1.96 million). Mikrokreditbank ranked
second with 569 loans worth 8.6 billion soums (around $716,965),
while Agrobank issued 206 loans totaling 3.6 billion soums (approx.
$300,125).
By region, Jizzakh region recorded the highest number of loans,
at 321, followed by Tashkent region with 307 and Syrdarya region
with 262.
According to Trend’s calculations, the average loan amounted to
approximately 15.2 million soums (about $1,267). Xalq Bank
accounted for 67.2% of all loans issued under the program and 65.7%
of their total value. Sewing machines represented the largest
category of financed purchases, accounting for approximately 36.8%
of the total loan amount, followed by food production equipment at
19.8%.
The distribution of financing shows a strong focus on equipment
that can support household businesses and small-scale production,
particularly sewing and food processing. The program is designed to
encourage self-employment, diversify household income sources and
create opportunities for small entrepreneurs.
