ISLAMABAD, May 13. /Dunyo IA/. Articles dedicated to the economic growth rates of Uzbekistan have been published in the Pakistani newspaper “Daily Ittehad” and the electronic publication “Pakistan Economic Network”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

In the publications, the economic growth indicators achieved by Uzbekistan in the first quarter are analysed, emphasizing that they surpassed the expectations of international organizations. The Asian Development Bank had forecasted growth at 6.7% for the first quarter. The World Bank initially estimated the indicator at 6%, but raised its forecast to 6.4% in April. The International Monetary Fund also increased its forecast from 6.2% to 6.8% in April.

The economy of Uzbekistan actually grew by 8.7%. The volume of the gross domestic product in current prices reached USD 36.9 billion. At the same time, the closest forecast to the achieved result was given by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms of Uzbekistan, which at the beginning of the year estimated the economic growth in the first quarter at 7%," the publications note.

Pakistani media also emphasizes the significant contribution of market reforms actively implemented in Uzbekistan to the acceleration of economic growth. This fact was also noted in the Index of Economic Freedom: Uzbekistan rose 14 positions and for the first time entered the category of countries with a moderately free economy.

Pakistani media also note that during the period under review, 167,000 people were provided with permanent employment, while 737,000 citizens received support in creating additional sources of income and improving their financial well-being.