THE IMPACT OF LENDING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY

This article examines the impact of bank lending on the development of entrepreneurial activity at both national and international levels, with a particular focus on the experience of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Drawing on statistical data from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the Asian Development Bank, and international academic sources, the study analyses the dynamics of the loan portfolio, the sectoral structure of lending, and the conditions of SME access to financial resources. The key barriers to entrepreneurial lending are identified, high interest rates, collateral requirements, and information asymmetry, and directions for improving the effectiveness of the credit mechanism are defined. The results confirm a statistically significant positive relationship between SME lending volumes and regional GDP growth.