Chinese investors have created more than 1,500 enterprises in Uzbekistan in a year

The number of foreign-invested companies in Uzbekistan continues to grow. As of December 1, there were 17,900 such companies in the country, Spot reports, citing the report of the National Statistics Committee.

Over the month, their number increased by 305 (+1.7%), including 281 new subsidiaries of foreign companies and 28 joint ventures. The year-over-year increase was 2,450 firms, or almost 16%.

China retains the lead in the number of companies with foreign participation—4,873, or 27.2%. Of these, 142 were established in the last month, bringing the total number of new firms to 1,501 over the year.

Russian investors retain second place with 3,209 firms (17.9%). Over the past month, the number of companies with their participation increased by 32, with annual growth of less than 5%. Russia retained its leading position in joint ventures, with 909.

Turkey rounded out the top three with 2,109 companies (+19 compared to the previous month and +187 over the year). Kazakhstan followed with 1,199 enterprises, 14 more than in October and 101 more than last year.

Another 691 companies were founded by investors from South Korea, which again entered the top five. Afghanistan, meanwhile, accounted for 637 companies.

Following are the UAE with 404 companies (+8 over the month), Tajikistan with 386 (+7), and India with 364 companies (+8). Azerbaijan moved into tenth place with 353 companies (up 10), surpassing Kyrgyzstan (346 companies) and the United States (336 enterprises).

The largest share of foreign enterprises operates in the trade sector—currently 6,403. Another 3,700 are in industry, including 1,400 joint projects. Additionally, 1,389 companies are engaged in construction and 1,377 in IT services.