The figure compares with $32.5 billion in foreign currency purchases during the same period last year.
Businesses accounted for the bulk of demand, purchasing $30 billion, while individuals bought $8.2 billion.
At the same time, the amount of foreign currency sold to banks also increased. Sales reached $33 billion between January and July, up $7.2 billion, or 28%, from a year earlier.
Individuals sold $14.6 billion worth of foreign currency to banks, while companies sold $18.4 billion.
The exchange rate of the US dollar ranged from UZS 11,910 to UZS 12,320 during the reporting period. Despite the fluctuations, the Uzbek soum strengthened slightly against the dollar, appreciating by about 0.4%.
Daily exchange-rate movements averaged UZS 32, or 0.27%. A year earlier, the average daily fluctuation was UZS 28.2, or 0.22%, indicating a modest increase in volatility that remained within normal levels.
