Uzbekistan, a nation situated in Central Asia, is poised to implement a series of legislative changes commencing March 1, 2024. These reforms span various sectors, aiming to enhance regulatory frameworks, promote economic development, and safeguard public welfare.
Financing Enhancement for Food Exporters
Under the revised legislation, financial support will be extended to food exporters for a period of up to two years. The allocation of resources will be contingent upon the volume of exports, with delineated thresholds ranging from $100,000 to over $3mn.
Streamlined Procedure for Agricultural Land Leasing
To expedite the leasing process, electronic online auctions will replace the previous open electronic competitions for agricultural land. Additionally, agricultural land plots previously unresolved in competitions will be automatically registered for online auctions.
Customs Duty Exemptions and Solar Panel Import Regulations
Certain imported goods without domestic equivalents will be exempt from customs duties until March 1, 2026, facilitating importation for businesses. Stricter regulations will govern the importation of solar panels, mandating compliance with specified quality standards.
Authorization Procedure Simplification
As part of efforts to streamline administrative processes, 16 licenses and permits will be revoked. Legal entities can benefit from reduced fines for violations if settled within specified time frames. A transitional regime of "Entrepreneurship without a license" will be in place until January 1, 2025, facilitating operational adjustments.
If legal entities voluntarily pay a fine for violations in the field of licensing, permitting and notification procedures within 15 days, 50% of the fine amount, and 30% if paid within 30 days.
State Procurement Modifications and Social Worker Initiatives
State procurement procedures will be refined to permit inclusion of only one type of pharmaceutical product per lot. Flexible work schedules for social worker assistants will ensure round-the-clock support for vulnerable demographics. Performance evaluations will be conducted monthly to incentivize excellence in service provision.
Urban Planning and Environmental Regulations
Non-resident legal entities will be eligible to obtain licenses for construction work in high mountainous regions using industrial mountaineering methods. Stricter landscaping requirements will mandate allocation of land for improvement measures in new constructions.
New buildings and structures under construction with a height of more than 12 meters and (or) a total area of more than 500m² will not be accepted by the state reception commission if at least 25% of the land adjacent to them has not been allocated for the improvement of areas and improvement activities have not been carried out.
In the conclusion of the state ecological examination issued in accordance with the project documents of the industrial enterprises of the I and II categories of environmental impact, there is a mandatory requirement to create "green belts" in their own and adjacent areas and to implement beautification measures.
Business Support Initiatives and Athlete ID Cards
A dedicated business development company will undertake measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Introduction of athlete ID cards will streamline eligibility verification for sports competitions.
Traffic Regulations and Public Awareness Campaigns
To alleviate congestion and mitigate pollution, truck traffic will be restricted during peak hours in the capital city of Tashkent.
Public warnings about dust storms and air pollution
The practice of informing the population about the occurrence of a dust storm in the regions of Uzbekistan is being introduced. Citizens of Uzbekistan are also warned that the amount of fine dispersed particles in the atmospheric air exceeds the specified norm.
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