Enterprise Uzbekistan wants to simplify testing of driverless cars and taxis

Enterprise Uzbekistan is seeking to simplify the testing process for driverless cars and taxis.

Deputy Chairman of Enterprise Uzbekistan Elyor Maksudov stated at a Senate meeting on August 8 that special preferences for participants in the International Center for Digital Technologies (Enterprise Uzbekistan) are primarily intended to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to the implementation of new technologies, rather than provide companies with additional economic benefits.

During the discussion of the constitutional law on the International Center for Digital Technologies, senators drew attention to the article on the "regulatory sandbox."

This article provides for the possibility of temporarily exempting center participants from certain legislative requirements or decisions of the center itself, simplifying licensing and permitting procedures, and providing access to infrastructure, research laboratories, and expert consultations.

Within the framework of the "regulatory sandbox," the Center will be able to provide participants with other preferences not directly specified in the law. Senator Khusan Ermatov asked for clarification on the specific additional support measures being discussed.

Elyor Maksudov responded that they were not primarily talking about financial incentives.

"It should be emphasized that the preferences provided here are not primarily economic. They are aimed at eliminating bureaucratic obstacles," he said.

As an example, the company representative cited the development and testing of driverless cars and taxis.

"If we take an example, these are projects to develop driverless taxis and driverless cars. By testing such projects, we create opportunities so that international and local companies do not encounter emerging bureaucratic or other barriers and obstacles," said Elyor Maksudov.

According to him, this should subsequently allow companies to scale up the solutions they develop and promote them on the international market. What will happen to companies outside Enterprise Uzbekistan?

During the discussion, Senator Dilbar Suvonova also asked whether the special legal regime of Enterprise Uzbekistan would undermine competitive conditions for local IT companies, which would continue to operate under general legislation.

She specifically inquired about the measures envisaged for small and medium-sized local startups that would not be able to participate in the international center.

In response, Elyor Maksudov stated that the law does not establish barriers to local IT companies obtaining Enterprise Uzbekistan participant status.

"The residency requirements in Article 22 of the law do not impede local IT companies from becoming residents and participants in the center," he said.

One of the goals of creating the center, he said, is precisely to create a competitive environment. Discrimination or separation of companies, the industry representative noted, would also complicate the attraction of international business. "Companies that, for whatever reason, are unable to become participants in the center will receive support from IT Park," noted an industry representative.

He noted that benefits and other conditions for IT Park residents were recently extended until 2040. It is expected that IT Park's programs will also support local startups and companies that are not yet ready to operate in the international market.

After developing their businesses, such companies will be able to subsequently apply for membership in the International Digital Technology Center, he noted.