Russia reports drone strike, as Zelenskyy denies Nord Stream role
Russia reported a major fire at an Ozon logistics hub in Krasnodar after a drone attack on Monday, while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelens...
Uzbekistan’s trade, accommodation, and food service industries maintained robust growth in the first quarter of 2025, with Gross Value Added (GVA) in these sectors reaching 39.1 trillion soums (approximately $3.8 billion), according to data from the National Statistical Committee.
This marks an 8.8% year-on-year increase in real terms, reflecting a steady expansion of the country’s services sector, which has become a vital engine of Uzbekistan’s broader economic development strategy.
The current growth builds on a multi-year upward trend:
Though annual growth rates have fluctuated slightly, the overall trajectory remains positive. After peaking at 107.2% in 2023, growth slowed modestly to 104.6% in 2024 before rebounding to 108.8% in the first quarter of 2025.
Economic Significance
The trade and hospitality sectors are increasingly integral to Uzbekistan’s economic diversification goals, especially as the country moves away from a traditional reliance on extractive industries. The expansion of these industries is also creating jobs, stimulating domestic consumption, and attracting private investment.
The government has prioritized improvements in business regulation, infrastructure, and digitalization to support continued development in services. Analysts suggest that if the current pace continues, Uzbekistan is well-positioned to expand its role as a regional hub for commerce and tourism in Central Asia.
Iran on Saturday denounced U.S. plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic's economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners including China.
A large-scale drone attack has hit Russia's Samara region, damaging facilities and disrupting operations at an Ozon logistics complex, according to regional authorities and the company.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected calls for a wartime election, arguing that holding a vote while Russia's full-scale invasion continues would divide the country and undermine national unity.
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Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have elevated bilateral ties with a Treaty on Eternal Friendship signed by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on 23 August. The leaders also agreed to expand trade, investment, transport, and regional cooperation.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Kazakhstan has concluded its first election to the new unicameral Kurultai, with turnout reaching 74.19 per cent, as vote counting begins following a major overhaul of the country’s parliamentary system.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have elevated bilateral ties with a Treaty on Eternal Friendship signed by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on 23 August. The leaders also agreed to expand trade, investment, transport, and regional cooperation.
Syria has called for international action after an Israeli drone strike hit a civilian vehicle near Damascus, warning that continued Israeli attacks could deepen instability and put civilians at greater risk.
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