The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan reported that it has expanded the geographic scope of its financial literacy initiatives, extending the project to 71 remote districts classified in the third, fourth and fifth socio-economic categories. The programme focuses on building financial literacy skills, providing information on entrepreneurship opportunities and promoting the use of banking services. In Surkhandarya region, the Central Bank and participating commercial banks held nine roundtable discussions across Bandikhon, Boysun, Qiziriq, Muzrabad, Altinsay, Sariosiyo, Uzun, Sherobod and Shurchi. The associated trainings reached 683 citizens, including 220 young people, 482 women, 29 entrepreneurs, 270 assistant agents and 164 mahalla activists, and covered topics including self-employment and entrepreneurship, microfinance and preferential loan programmes, responsible borrowing and credit history, savings management, engagement with credit institutions, consumer rights protection and core principles of financial security.