10-07-202656
Today, enhancing a country's economic attractiveness and strengthening its position in international rankings is one of the key priorities of state policy. Uzbekistan's legislation also places particular emphasis on the liberalisation of foreign trade and the improvement of the investment climate. In the 2026 index published by The Heritage Foundation, the country was included for the first time in the "moderately free" category, ranking 86th in the world with a score of 60.3 points — a result of significant importance for ensuring economic stability in society.
Business entities have the right to participate in foreign economic activities and the implementation of investment projects in accordance with international standards. These opportunities are being ensured not only in legal terms but also in practice. In particular, the country's score for trade freedom stands at 80.6 points and for investment freedom at 70 points, both considerably exceeding the global averages (70.2 and 53.4 respectively), reflecting the country's policy of openness. A positive dynamic is also evident in attracting foreign investment and expanding foreign trade turnover. Notably, the volume of foreign investments and loans directed to fixed capital reached 422.1 trillion soums in 2025, recording a growth of 109.3%, which contributes to strengthening economic activity. Furthermore, the foreign trade turnover for the first two months of 2026 amounted to 11.6 billion dollars, helping to sustain the high pace of export-import operations.
A positive assessment in international rankings is not limited to figures alone. In this process, achieving SDG 8 — ensuring economic growth and decent employment — as well as balancing the foreign trade balance, is of critical importance. Although at the beginning of the current year exports excluding gold sales declined by 23.4%, with growth driven primarily by imports, the sustained investment activity calls for new strategic measures in this area.
In conclusion, raising the level of economic freedom is not merely a matter of rankings but one of the fundamental drivers of national development. For in a society where economic freedom and investment protection are guaranteed, the prospects for achieving sustainable development continue to grow.