Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product grew 9.7% in January-June 2007 compared to 6.6% in the same period last year, the government said on Wednesday.

Data released by the government showed industrial output expanded 11.6% in the first six months after rising 9.7% in the in the same year-ago period. The government said consumer products production rose by 19% in the reporting period.

The Uzbek government said construction works rose by 20.5%, retail trade turnover increased by 16.8% and paid services by 25.1%. Agricultural output grew by 5.5% in the first half of 2007.

Export of Uzbekistan increased by 39% and the share of non-raw materials made up 70%. Current trade balance surplus made up US$1.7 billion.

The government said the state budget was executed with 1.9% surplus to GDP. Half year consumer price inflation slowed down to 2.7% from 3.5% in January-June of 2006.

The volume of utilized investments grew by 40.2% year-on-year. Foreign investment increased 1.9 times, of which 85% were foreign direct investments.