ief of mission: Ambassador
Shavkat HAMRAKULOV FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804
[1] (202) 887-5300 chancery:
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
John Edward HERBST embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115 mailing
address: use embassy street address; US Embassy Tashkent, Department
of State, Washington, DC 20521-7110 telephone: [998] (71) 120-5444 FAX:
[998] (71) 120-6335

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and
12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Economy Uzbekistan

Economy - overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11%
consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60%
of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan
is now the world's second largest cotton exporter, a large producer
of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals
and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government
sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and
tight controls on production and prices. The state continues to be
a dominating influence in the economy and has so far failed to bring
about much-needed structural changes. The IMF suspended Uzbekistan's
$185 million standby arrangement in late 1996 because of governmental
steps that made impossible fulfillment of Fund conditions. Uzbekistan
has responded to the negative external conditions generated by the
Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute
industrialization and by tightening export and currency controls within
its already largely closed economy. Economic policies that have repelled
foreign investment are a major factor in the economy's stagnation. A
growing debt burden, persistent inflation, and a poor business climate led
to disappointing growth in 2001. However, in December 2001 the government
voiced a renewed interest in economic reform, seeking advice from the
IMF and other financial institutions.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $62 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 24% services:
43% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 25.2% (1993)