The Economist awarded Uzbekistan as the country of the year

British magazine The Economist named Uzbekistan as the country of the year, while other candidates were New Zealand, Northern Macedonia and Sudan. According to the publication, Uzbekistan still has a long way to go, but in 2019 no other country has improved so far.

The magazine also notes major reforms, a policy of attracting foreign investment and reducing the powers of officials. In the past year, the number of registered entrepreneurs doubled, and investment inflows quadrupled.

Moreover, a sharp restriction on the export of raw cotton and the development of its own textile industry are mentioned among the achievements of Uzbekistan over the years. The activity of the embassies of Uzbekistan abroad, promoting the investment potential of the country's regions, was also emphasized.