In Q1 of 2018 Uzbekistan's exports of goods were worth a total of US$ 2.9 billion, while imports amounted to US$ 3.6 blns, with trade deficit at US$ 0.6 bln. Imports are higher than exports due to, inter alia, the fact that some import operations shifted from shadow economy and were conducted through the banking sector, as well as due to production capacities being boosted by loans in foreign currency, the Central Bank said in its quarterly report.
The major export items were gold which were at US$ 1.3 billion and gas – US$ 487.2 mln, or 61% of total exports.
