Uzbekistan achieved 8.9% GDP growth in January-September 2004 compared to 4% (6.46 trillion soums) in the same period of 2003, according to the session of the Cabinet of Ministers

Uzbekistan achieved 8.9% GDP growth in January-September 2004 compared to 4% (6.46 trillion soums) in the same period of 2003, according to the session of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the socioeconomic development of the country in three quarters. The session, which took place on Friday, said industrial output of Uzbekistan had grown by 10.2%, and agricultural production by 14.2% in the reporting period. Inflation rate comprised 0.3% in the three quarters. Industrial output in the same period of 2003 grew by 5.7% to 4.23 trillion soums and agricultural production by 9.5% to 4.7 trillion soums. Exports of Uzbekistan rose by 34.6% in the nine months of 2004 against 23.2% (US$2.62 billion) in the same period of 2003. The current account balance comprised US$815 million in the reporting period. The Cabinet of Ministers also discussed implementation of the programme of localusation of production of ready goods, spare parts and materials based on local raw materials in 2004-05 and reforms in secondary education.