Uzbekistan Commodities Output
Growth Indices of Major Types of Industrial Output:
Commodity:
In the first half of 2008, production of consumer goods totaled 3,172.8 billion Soum, which is 116.6% more than in the corresponding period of 2007. Such a dynamic increase in the production of consumer goods resulted from taking steps aimed at: providing a balanced consumer goods market ensuring the country's food security and supporting domestic commodity producers.
Monitoring is undertaken of the production of strategically important types of foodstuffs - flour and vegetable oil. In January-June 2008, 676.2 thousand tons of flour and 156.8 thousand tons of cotton were supplied to the domestic consumer market from government resources. In addition, about 220 thousand tons of flour and 15 thousand tons of vegetable oil were brought in the country at the expense of the decentralized sources.
Expansion of production of fruit and vegetables. Commercial banks extended micro loans in excess of 5.6 billion Soum to agricultural commodity producers to buy seeds and material resources.
Allocation of more than 234.2 ha of land, extension of loans under 26 projects, start of constructor works on 10 projects under the Program of Poultry Farming Development.
Taking measures on food intervention. The Government lifted excise tax on tea, rice, fats, and oil. In addition, the goods listed above imported from CIS countries with which agreements were signed to establish a free trade zone, are not subject to import customs duties. The rate of excise tax on cane or beet sugar and chemically clean solid sugar was reduced from 30% to 10%.
High growth rates of domestic goods output were secured in all regions. In general, in the period under review, the consumer goods output per capita accounted for 116.3 thousand Soum. A high
differentiation of this indicator is preserved across the regions. The lowest level was registered in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, 25.1 thousand Soum per capita or 21.6% of the average national level. The maximum level of production of goods per capita was recorded in Andijan region, 382 thousand Soum which is 3.3 times above the average national level.
Output of 23 out of 41 domestic commodity groups was increased, including 16 groups of foodstuffs and 7 groups of industrial goods. Output also increased at several textile enterprises sold to ne investors (namely: "Antex" JV, "Spentex Tashkent Toytepa" JV, Daewoo Fergana textile "Mimatash textile" Sole Proprietorship, etc).
