What will change in Uzbekistan from October 1?

From October 1, a number of legislative changes and other updates will come into force in Uzbekistan.

From October 1, a unified procedure encouraging the voluntary payment of financial fines for entrepreneurs will be introduced. According to it, if an entrepreneur pays 50 percent of the fine within one month, they will be exempted from the remaining part. Additionally, an opportunity will be provided to pay the fine in equal installments over 6 months. If the decision to apply the fine is canceled or declared invalid by a court, the collected funds will be returned within 15 days. If this period is violated, interest will be paid for each day of delay in the amount of 1/300 of the Central Bank's basic rate.

From October 1, land plots included in the "Land Bank" — a targeted list for the implementation of prospective housing construction projects in Uzbekistan — will be put up for open electronic online auctions in a construction-ready state. In this process, the land plots will be put up for auction aligned with the master plan concept and construction projects, agreed upon with the regional architectural and urban planning council, with construction permits and necessary design documentation prepared. As a rule, the lands will be divided into small lots. The "Land Bank" will include vacant lands under the jurisdiction of district and city administrations, plots where privatized state property objects are located, renovation areas, and certain agricultural lands whose category is changed in accordance with the procedure established by law.

From October 1, individuals and legal entities will be able to impose or lift a ban on pledging or mortgaging, as well as alienating, real estate and motor vehicles belonging to them through the Single Interactive State Services Portal (my.gov.uz). For individuals, imposing a ban will be carried out after identification via Face ID. Legal entities must submit a decision of the general meeting of founders, participants, or shareholders, confirmed by an electronic digital signature.

From October 1, on the Single Interactive State Services Portal (my.gov.uz), citizens will be able to view information about all phone numbers and bank cards registered in their name. Citizens will also have the opportunity through the portal to deactivate or reactivate a phone number for a certain period, terminate service for an unused number, and obtain information about paid services connected to it. Regarding bank cards, it will be possible to send an electronic application through the portal to the issuing bank to block or close the card.

From October 1, the procedure for automatically updating citizens' personal data in the information systems of state bodies will come into force. In the event of a change in citizens' surname, first name, patronymic, date of birth, and other personal data, state agencies will receive information about this through the interdepartmental electronic cooperation system and independently update their electronic databases. Also, identity documents will be reissued on the basis of an electronic certificate about the change of personal data obtained through the Single Interactive State Services Portal (my.gov.uz).

From October 1, electrical engineering enterprises will be allocated loans for up to 2 years, with a 3-month grace period, at an annual rate of 6 percent from the funds of the "Trade Development Company". The loan amount for one entrepreneur will not exceed 5 million dollars. The "National Business Guarantee Company" will provide a guarantee for 50 percent of the loan, but not exceeding the equivalent of 20 billion soums. The remaining part will be covered by liquid property, an insurance policy, an export contract, or other collateral. Also, 40 million dollars will be allocated to "Uzpromexport" to finance the purchase of copper raw materials by enterprises. In exchange trading, the enterprise will pay 25 percent of the payment, and "Uzpromexport" will pay the remaining 75 percent. The enterprise must return this money within 90 days.

In the Andijan region, private companies will be allowed to directly import liquefied gas and sell it to the population in domestic cylinders at free prices. The experiment will run parallel to the system of the LPG-Trade company, which will be established under "Hududgaztaminot" as a special operator for supplying the population with liquefied gas. At least two private operators must participate in the project. They must have their own or leased facilities for transporting, receiving, storing, and distributing gas, the necessary licenses and permits, as well as be provided with trained personnel. Private operators will also be allowed to establish gas cylinder storage and sales points. Later, based on the results of the experiment, this model can be gradually introduced to other regions as well.

From October 1, participants in foreign economic activity who have a low risk level and an active VAT certificate will be provided with the opportunity to offset the amounts of value-added tax paid for imported goods in tax authorities. From the same date, due to the digitalization and improvement of control processes in export, the amount of fees and payments for customs clearance, phytosanitary certificate, fumigation, and certificate of origin of goods will be reduced by 30 percent.

From October 1, the movement of certain vehicles not intended for passenger transport will be restricted in the historical part of Bukhara. The restriction applies to the area from the Ark Fortress through the Poi Kalyan ensemble and Khakikat Street to Lyabi-Khauz. The movement of electric scooters, rickshaws, mopeds, four-wheeled bicycles, electric kick-scooters, karts, and other similar vehicles, as well as horses and camels, will be restricted in the area. The khokimiyat explained this measure by the need to ensure the safety of tourists and pedestrians, and to prevent chaotic movement and injuries. Alternative areas will be designated for self-employed persons providing services on these vehicles. They can provide services in the New Uzbekistan Park or the "Eternal Bukhara" Park.

Starting from October 1, free vouchers for theater, cinema, and concert events will be provided at the expense of the state budget. They can be received annually by 500,000 teachers, doctors, civil servants, active pupils and students, as well as one child from each of the 100,000 families included in the Social Register, and children with disabilities. Funds for the value of the voucher will be provided through a social card opened in the name of the voucher recipients.

From October 1, new requirements for the introduction of water-saving technologies will come into force. Supplying enterprises and local manufacturers will have to produce pump and filter devices with a special QR-coded label and install GPS trackers on them. From the same date, the installation of water-saving technologies will be carried out on the basis of approved minimum requirements and standards. The procedure for allocating subsidies to those who introduce technologies at their own expense, without attracting a bank loan, will also change. In this case, 50 percent of the subsidy calculated on the basis of design and estimate documentation and the contract concluded with the supplier will be paid in advance. The remaining 50 percent will be given after the technologies are installed and put into operation. If the technologies are not installed and launched within two months after the first 50 percent of the subsidy is paid, the allocated funds will be returned.