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The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has increased the financing volume for Uzbekistan's national digital ecosystem, Uzum, from $70 million to $100 million USD. These additional funds are intended for the development of fintech business and the scaling of digital financial services.

The initial lending agreement between EDB and Uzum was signed in May 2026 and marked the bank's first investment in Uzbekistan after the country joined the organization. The new funding will allow Uzum to continue developing its fintech infrastructure and expanding digital financial services for both individuals and small and medium-sized businesses across the country.

The company reported that Uzum Bank became a leader in issuing bank cards in 2026. More than half of orders on the Uzum Market marketplace are paid for using the ecosystem's own financial services.

Sergey Ignatov, Senior Managing Director of EDB, noted that expanding partnerships with industry leaders reflects EDB's plans to increase the scale of its operations in Uzbekistan. He emphasized that digital platforms are a key element of economic infrastructure, and by financing their growth, the bank is investing not just in one company, but in the technological connectivity of the region and the accessibility of financial services for millions of people.

Uzum founder and CEO Jasur Jumaev stated that the increased funding demonstrates investor confidence in the company's strategy and effectiveness. He added that they are creating a national-level fintech infrastructure used by millions daily, and it is particularly important to them that alongside Uzum's growth, the volume of international capital directed to Uzbekistan's digital economy also increases.

The company also noted that the development of cashless payments, digital banking services, and high youth engagement contribute to the further growth of the fintech sector and the digital economy of Uzbekistan.

EDB operates as a multilateral development bank conducting investment activities in the Eurasian region. As of the end of June 2026, the bank's accumulated portfolio included 348 projects with a total investment volume of $22.1 billion. The majority of this portfolio is concentrated in the areas of transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, industry, and mechanical engineering.

Under EDB's Strategy for the period 2022–2026, the bank is implementing three mega-projects: the 'Central Asian Water and Energy Infrastructure Complex,' the 'Eurasian Transport Framework,' and the 'Eurasian Commodity Distribution Network.' Uzum integrates fintech, e-commerce, and banking services for individuals and enterprises; according to provided data, over 20 million residents of Uzbekistan use the ecosystem's services monthly.

The creators of 'Hanuman Ansh' do not intend to spend huge sums on the sequel, despite the impressive success of the first part. The film, shot with a budget of 2 crore rupees, showed phenomenal results at the box office, exceeding the mark of 400 crore worldwide in about 50 days.

Following such a triumph, the creators announced the production of a continuation. A question arose as to whether the budget for 'Hanuman Ansh 2' would be increased dozens of times. However, the film's producer, Anupriya Nagar, provided important information about the plans for the sequel's budget in an interview with Dainik Bhaskar.

According to Anupriya, the film does not get better simply by increasing financial investment. She stated that her goal is to create the second part within a budget comparable to the first film. She emphasized that investing only 10 or 20 crore rupees will not improve the quality of the picture but may lead to unjustified use of visual effects (VFX) or artificial intelligence (AI), which could undermine the authenticity of the story.

Anupriya also noted that in a film recounting events of a certain era, not only the characters are important. It is extremely necessary to authentically recreate the atmosphere, surroundings, and the entire world of that time. Therefore, the team's focus is on preserving historical truth and atmosphere, rather than increasing the budget.

She added that, given the audience's love for the film, spending money solely for showiness would be wrong. Nevertheless, if the sequel's plot truly requires a large budget, the team is ready to invest the necessary funds.

The film 'Hanuman Ansh', directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, is a biographical drama based on the life of Neem Karoli Baba. Shobhinov Satya and Chandan Anand star in the main roles. The plot tells the story of a young man named Lakshmi Narayana from India before independence, who leaves home in search of God after his mother's death, and eventually gains fame as Neem Karoli Baba.

The film, released on August 7, initially collected only 10 lakh rupees on its premiere day. However, positive audience reviews gradually changed the trajectory of the film's success. In the second week, box office collections began to rise, and the film, which had a budget of about 2 crore rupees, ultimately earned 414 crore worldwide. According to data collected in India, the net collection was over 300 crore rupees.

The success of 'Hanuman Ansh' was not limited to cinemas. Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV announced a new series dedicated to the life of Neem Karoli Baba. A promotional video has already been released, showcasing Baba's spiritual world, as well as his stories and miracles. The promotional materials mentioned that the stories of the man who conquered the country would now reveal his miraculous legends. Despite 'Hanuman Ansh' exceeding the 400 crore mark, the story of Neem Karoli Baba continues; it remains to be seen whether the sequel will be created with the same simplicity and authenticity or if the demands of the plot will force it to be more grandiose on the big screen.