Uzbekistan unveils digital lending platform, expands small business incentives

According to a government resolution, the new digital financial platform will be launched by July 1, 2026, aiming at improving access to financing for small businesses and streamlining the lending process.

As part of the reform package, commercial banks will introduce an AI-powered advisory service designed to support entrepreneurs by generating business ideas based on the economic specialization and growth potential of local communities.

Beginning July 1, 2026, additional measures will be introduced under the government's Comprehensive Small Business Support Program.

Entrepreneurs who have previously received microloans through the program and maintained a positive credit history will be eligible for an increase in the unsecured portion of their loans from 100 million soms (about $8,354) to 200 million soms (approximately $16,700).

The Entrepreneurship Development Company will also expand financial assistance for small businesses. The agency will provide interest-rate subsidies for loan amounts of up to 5 billion soms (about $417,710), regardless of the total size of the credit facility.

In addition, 100 top-performing entrepreneurs supported under the program each year will be eligible for grants of up to 300 million soms (about $25,060) to help fund business digitalization, the adoption of international standards, and the implementation of environmentally sustainable technologies.

The measures are part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to strengthen private-sector growth, encourage innovation, and improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan's foreign trade hit $26.3bn in Q1 2026.