Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on the transfer of four factories of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) to state control. This decision was made based on the fact that these enterprises influence 40 percent of the Russian tobacco market and provide employment for about 4000 employees.
In accordance with this decree, the enterprises were transferred to the management of a state-affiliated holding company.
In September 2026, Uzbekistan's gross domestic product (GDP) showed growth of 8.3%. Concurrently, imports increased by 15.7% and exports decreased by 5.5%.
According to the National Statistical Committee report, Uzbekistan's GDP for January-September 2026 reached 1,755.5 trillion soums. Real economic growth compared to the same period last year was 8.3%.
In foreign trade, an increase in imports and a decrease in exports were noted. The total volume of the country's foreign trade reached 65.4 billion US dollars, of which exports accounted for 25.8 billion dollars, and imports accounted for 39.6 billion dollars. This resulted in a negative balance in foreign trade amounting to 13.7 billion dollars.
Despite the overall decline in export volume, commodity exports grew when gold was excluded. Specifically, from January to August, this indicator increased by 28.7%.
The report indicates that the service sectors contributed the most to GDP growth. In January-September, 1,085.7 trillion soums of industrial products were produced, which is 8.1% more than in the corresponding period last year. In industry, the production of machinery and equipment grew by 48.9%, and the production of transport equipment increased by 33.9%.
Regarding prices, in the ninth month of 2026, consumer prices rose by 4.2% compared to December of the previous year. The average increase in food prices was 2.9%, non-food goods was 4.6%, and services was 5.6%. Changes in food prices, as well as housing, water, electricity, gas, and other types of fuel, which together accounted for 54% of inflation growth, had the greatest impact on overall inflation.
The volume of retail trade reached 432.2 trillion soums, showing a growth of 19.7%. The volume of market services amounted to 1,003.2 trillion soums, increasing by 16.7%. Among services, financial services grew by 22%, communication and informatization services by 21.4%, and trade services by 17.4%.
Furthermore, as of October 1, there were 621.1 thousand enterprises and organizations operating in Uzbekistan. During the first nine months of the year, 68.5 thousand new enterprises and organizations were created.
