Minister of Finance of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov presented a report on execution of the state budget in 2015.

It was noted that the state budget was executed in line with earlier approved parliament. The growth of gross domestic product (GDP) made up 8%, industrial production – 8%, agriculture production – 6.8%, retail trade turnover – 15%, paid services – 10.8%. The budget was executed with surplus. Inflation rate made up 5.6%, which did not exceed the projected parameters.

It was underlined that real aggregate income per capita rose by 9.6%, average salary of workers of budget organizations, size of pensions, social allowances and stipends rose by 21.9%.

Share of small businesses in GDP rose from 31% in 2000 to 56.7% in 2015. They produce one third of industrial production and 98% of agriculture goods. About 77% of employed population work in the sector.

It was underlined that Uzbekistan adopted measures on decreasing tax burden and improving business environment in 2015.

About 58.8% from total expenses of the budget were directed to social sphere and social support of population. Uzbekistan increased financing of science by 15.9% year-on-year in 2015. About 137.4 billion soums were directed to finance state scientific-technical programmes. The resources were directed to protection of environment and health of population.

After discussions, Legislative Chamber adopted a resolution on approval a report of the Cabinet of Ministers on execution of the state budget and budgets of the state funds in 2015.

In the second half of the day, MPs discussed execution of the state budget and budgets of the state funds in the first quarter of 2016.

At the session, it was underlined that the state budget was executed with surplus. Uzbekistan’s GDP rose by 7.5% in the first quarter of 2016, industrial production – 7%, agriculture products – 6.7%, services -12.1% and retail trade – 12.8%.

Over 8,400 small businesses were created in Uzbekistan in January-March 2016, which rose by 5.5% year-on-year. The volume of loans, issued to small businesses, grew by 1.3 times year-on-year in the first quarter of 2016.

Over 167,400 jobs were created in the country in January-March 2016, of which 57.7% - in rural areas. About 1.3 trillion soums were directed to implementation of the measures of the state programme “The Year of Healthy Mother and Children”.

After discussion, MPs adopted a resolution on approval a report of the Cabinet of Ministers on execution of the state budget and budgets of the state funds in the first quarter of 2016.