The President of Uzbekistan has signed a decree canceling the exclusive rights of several state-owned companies to conduct economic activities, on June 3, first assistant to the president Saida Mirziyoyeva reported.
The issuance of this decree indicates the leadership's dedication to implementing substantial and complex reforms to create a free market, remarked Mirziyoyeva.
Starting January 1, 2025, Uzmetkombinat, Uzvtortsvetmet, Uztransgaz, UzGasTrade, Uzkimyoimpeks, and Uzenergosotish will lose their exclusive and monopoly rights.
- As an experiment, from January 1, 2025, telecommunications network operators will be permitted to connect directly to the international Internet network, bypassing Uzbektelecom.
- Preferences for domestic manufacturers in government procurement, along with price preferences for domestic electrical products, will be eliminated starting July 1, 2026.
- Beginning January 1, 2025, all payments for government procurement, including those from extra-budgetary funds, will be processed through the Treasury.
- Customs duties will be revised to align with WTO standards by August 1, 2024.
Mirziyoyeva emphasized the significance of the decree in aligning with Uzbekistan's aspirations to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"We are demonstrating once again that our country's decision to become a member of this organization is firm," she stated.
Uzbekistan's journey towards WTO accession is gaining momentum, as acknowledged by members of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan during their eighth meeting on May 24. Led by Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission on WTO Accession, Uzbekistan's delegation emphasized the country's dedication to WTO membership and ongoing reform efforts aimed at streamlining the process.
Khodjaev reaffirmed Uzbekistan's unwavering commitment to WTO accession by the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon in 2026.
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