Uzbekistan seeks to decriminalize trade violations. The relevant draft law is open for public discussion.
In August 2022, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the need to resolve the issue at an entrepreneur meeting. President noted that the problem that has been bothering business people operating in trade for 30 years would be eliminated, including the criminal liability for violations of trade rules (article 189 of the Criminal Code).
According to the media, there would be no penalties for small businesses that made a first-time mistake. Instead, a system will be introduced in which tax authorities will help to address deficiencies. At the same time, the fines should not exceed the taxes paid by entrepreneurs, the President noted further.
Administrative and financial sanctions of the Tax Code and other fines are imposed on the perpetrator for violations of trade rules. This results in two or more punitive measures being applied for the same offense, which in practice, violates the established procedures for administering justice.
Under the new draft law, criminal liability for violations of trade rules would be abolished, and an administrative penalty would replace it.
The penalty is a fine of UZS 60mn and UZS 90mn for officials. In addition, administrative liability will also be established for infringement of the rules of trade or services on an immense scale.
The statement reads that the law project may be changed, supplemented, or rejected.
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