The development of Uzbekistan's key service sector has slowed down, the World Bank said in a report. In this regard, the WB recommends improving the country's links to external markets by reducing monopolies in telecommunications, aviation and railways, as well as easing requirements for localization of personal data and supporting ICT training.

In Uzbekistan, the services sector accounts for more than half of all jobs and has been central to the process of structural transformation over the past three decades. In the past decade, the growth of Uzbekistan’s services exports has lagged behind its manufactures exports while FDI greenfield announcements to both sectors have been even. In this regard, the WB recommends liberalizing service markets by reducing the role of state monopolies in the telecommunications, air, and rail transport sectors.