Uzbekistan's economy grew 8.5% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to official figures presented at a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as the country posted its strongest credit rating upgrades in years.
Investment reached approximately €24.6 billion in the six-month period, with exports at around €12.7 billion. Services expanded by 16.9%, construction by 13.8%, industry by 8% and agriculture by 4.7%.
Moody's upgraded Uzbekistan's sovereign credit rating from Ba3 to Ba2 in June, while Fitch kept its BB rating but shifted the outlook from stable to positive. Both moves reflect growing confidence among international investors in the trajectory of reforms launched after 2017.
Mirziyoyev called on regional and sector leaders to extract more value from existing investment, industrial and export projects.
"To improve the living standards of our 40 million people, economic growth of 9% to 10% is essential," Mirziyoyev said.
