196 stories
In September, ANORBANK founder Kahramonjon Olimov drew media attention: The Insider reported a possible staged kidnapping in France, and a red notice about his search appeared on the Interpol website, disappearing by October 15. Meanwhile, the bank reported asset growth to 20.32 trillion soums over the first nine months of 2026 and approved an additional share issuance of 100 billion soums.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Khurshid Mustafayev stated on October 14 that gas for injection into underground storage is being supplied daily on schedule at least until October 25. Current data on volumes in underground gas storage facilities are not publicly disclosed; in October 2024, reserves exceeded 5.1 billion cubic meters.
Representatives of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Economy and Finance stated on October 14 that Russian gas supplies continue in full accordance with contractual obligations, despite the explosion on the Central Asia–Center trunk gas pipeline in Penza region on October 13.
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the exchange rates for October 15: the dollar rose by 49.81 soums to 11,963.16, the euro rose by 61.7 to 13,390.36, and the ruble fell by 0.06 to 142.33 soums. The dollar has been getting more expensive for the eighth trading day in a row; earlier it gained 14.26 soums in a single day.
Uzbekistan's antimonopoly committee is studying the validity of taxi aggregators' price increases and signs of unfair competition. The trigger was multiple tariff surges among competitors during peak hours following Yandex Go technical outages on October 9 and 11, caused by drone attacks on Yandex data centers in Russia. Aggregators were advised to revise their pricing algorithms, fix payout glitches for drivers, and unblock drivers who were blocked without justification.
Tashkent will host three exhibitions under the Messe Frankfurt license: Automechanika Tashkent 2026 and events on commercial transport and construction equipment. Participation of 503 companies from 19 countries is expected, exhibition area of 25,000 m², and more than 20,000 professional visitors. Shell is the main partner of Automechanika Tashkent for the third year in a row.
A Norwegian government commission led by Svein Stoltenberg... wait, led by Svein Gjedrem proposed softening the sovereign fund's ethical rules: allowing investments in nuclear weapons makers from NATO-allied states recognized under the NPT. The fund currently excludes 14 companies, including Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Safran. The report was handed to Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg; consultations run until January 15.
Uzbekistan's Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights has begun studying the prices and services of taxi aggregators against the backdrop of technical failures at major services and multiple price increases during peak hours by competitors. The agency will verify the justification of price increases and signs of unfair competition, and also called on services to revise pricing algorithms, fix withdrawal glitches, unblock drivers, and pay out bonuses. After the Yandex Go outage on October 11–13, demand for Uklon,
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the dollar rate for October 16 at 12,011.65 soums — the currency has been rising for nine consecutive days and reached its highest level since July 31. The euro rose to 13,462.66 soums, the ruble to 143.17 soums.
The International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for Uzbekistan's GDP growth for 2026 from 6.8% to 7.8%, and for 2027 from 6% to 6.5%. The updated estimates are contained in a report published on October 12. The Fund also revised its forecasts for inflation, unemployment and the current account deficit.
The euro fell to $1,111 — its lowest level since mid-May 2025 — and to £0.842, a low since early June 2025. Pressure comes from rising energy prices due to the war involving Iran, the French public finance crisis, and a stronger dollar after US inflation hit 3.7%. The ECB has raised rates twice this year, but that has not stopped the decline. Investors await Fed decisions on October 28 and ECB decisions on October 29.
The German government approved a draft law on a tax on drinks with a sugar content of 5 g per 100 ml. Rates will be 0.26–0.32 euros per litre, with expected revenues of 690 million euros in 2027 and 925 million in 2028. The law must be approved by the Bundestag; critics, including Boris Rhein (CDU) and the Tax Foundation, doubt the measure's effectiveness.
Following the attack on Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran, for which Yemeni Houthis claimed responsibility, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned of negative consequences for the global economy. Brent crude rose above $106, Lufthansa suspended flights to Riyadh, and the IMF forecasts a 3.3% contraction in Saudi Arabia's economy this year.
UK GDP grew by 0.1% in August against forecasts of a 0.1% decline. Chancellor John Healey called it a 'sign of resilience' ahead of the 28 October budget. Growth over three months was 0.7%, with programming making the main contribution. The opposition and the Liberal Democrats were sceptical about the figures.
The developer of the Claude models showed 46% quarterly revenue growth and a second consecutive adjusted profitable quarter. The company plans an IPO in November with a valuation of up to $2 trillion, which would be a record, surpassing SpaceX's listing. Growth is nonetheless slowing, and annual revenue may fall short of investor expectations.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance has published a draft resolution on liberalizing the liquefied gas market: by May 1, 2027, proposals on free pricing must be prepared, a pilot with private suppliers is underway in Andijan region, privatization of LPG-Trade and retail sale of cylinders are planned. The retail price is proposed to be raised from 2,000 to 5,000 soums per kg with compensations for those in need.
The Treasury Department's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found some of the largest banks serving the U.S. allowed political considerations, public pressure and social concerns to influence decisions about who received banking services, according to a sweeping report released Wednesday. The OCC said it reviewed the nine largest national banks under its supervision, examining nearly 100,000 complaints and about 420,000 pages of documents. It found that all nine had used "reputation ris
Netflix announced layoffs of roughly 6% of its staff, about 1,000 people, mainly in product, technology, legal and HR. In a memo, co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the business is 'strong and growing' and the company remains on track for its annual forecast. This is the largest layoff since 2022; the quarterly report is expected on October 20.
