The growth of the GDP of Uzbekistan made up 7.9% in the first three months of 2009. This was announced at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on Wednesday, whish considered the country''s development in the first quarter.

The industrial production increased by 9.9%, consumer goods production by 12.5%, agricultural production by 5.7%, services by 16.6% and construction works by 12.1%.

The state budget surplus made up 0.4% of the GDP, and the inflation level did not exceed the forecast.

The total volume of investments in January-March increased by 31.4%, while foreign direct investments grew 2.5 times. A total of 54 industrial objects were commissioned in the reporting period.

The share of the small business in the GDP increased to 36.2% compared to 35.1% in the same period of last year, while the service sector accounted for 45.5% against 44.4% in the last year''s first quarter.

The implementation of the complex development programs and the Anti-crisis program allowed to create 208,600 new workplaces.

The export of the local production and services increased by 6.1% in the first quarter.