TASHKENT, April 17 (RIA Novosti) - Uzbekistan's GDP growth in the first quarter of 2006 increased by 3.6% year on year, the government said Monday.

The GDP growth included a 6.8% increase in industrial production, 4.5% - in agricultural output, 3.6% - in construction sector, 7.3% - in transportation and communications sector and 6.3% - in trade and public catering sector.

The government plans to post a 7.2% GDP increase this year against 2005.