Uzbekistan returned to the bond market after seven months with issuances in foreign and local currencies. The government issued a 3-year EIR 600 mln 5.375%, a 7-year USD 600 mln 7.125%, and a 3-year UZS 3 tln 16.625% Eurobond. Uzbekistan has also raised funds by selling a portion of its gold reserves to lock in high prices, making it the world’s biggest seller of gold at the start of the year, according to World Gold Council data. Separately, a deputy head of Uzbekistan’s central bank announced that inflation will fall to 9% by the end of the year.