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Uzbekistan — Daily

Uzbekistan Daily: Visa-free pact with Jordan, two migration officials arrested, and new telecom regulator

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Politics

September Reforms Reshape Labor Oversight, SME Exit Rules, Tourism Support, and Digital Services

Published: 2025-08-26

From 1 September, a broad reform package takes effect affecting labor inspections, SME liquidation, tourism incentives, social protection, and digital platforms. Labor inspectors may conduct unannounced visits aligned with ILO Conventions 81 and 129, while some employer reporting and penalties are eased; fines rise for informal employment. A new “green entrepreneur” status will confer priority on the “Transparent Construction” platform, temporary exemptions from environmental checks, and export support. Jewelry imports get tariff relief until 1 September 2028, and sole proprietors may sell jewelry. Disability determination shifts to an electronic, functionality-based model. Voluntary closure of compliant SMEs can proceed without tax audits if risk and revenue thresholds are met. Tourism promotion funding (50 billion soums/year) will subsidize content production, Uzbek restaurants abroad, logistics, and pool construction. Extended-day school groups become free for children from low-income families (15% quota). Simplified proceedings thresholds increase; school leaders’ base pay rises. Material aid for single parents is processed via Inson, the national social protection platform, and the e-government portal. Reinsurance placement must first be offered to state-participation entities, then licensed locals. A national tourism platform launches in pilot, expanding to full service by 1 December 2025, covering bookings and multi-rail/air/bus ticketing. Police patrol services become available to legal entities on a contractual basis via the e-government system.

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New Law Strengthens NGO Autonomy, Public Oversight and Charity Rules

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan has enacted Law No. O‘RQ-1083 (effective Aug 22, 2025), amending multiple statutes to reinforce civil society and regulate philanthropy. The Administrative Liability Code now penalizes unlawful interference in NGO operations, failure by officials to review public oversight findings within deadlines, and clarifies reduced fines for unregistered NGO activity. NGOs must disclose quarterly information on foreign-sourced funds, and their branches and representative offices are now recognized as separate legal entities. A new pathway allows state bodies to issue social procurement directly to civil society institutions, standardizing practice and potentially widening service delivery partnerships. Charity collections are formalized: cash via sealed, recorded boxes or bank transfers; in-kind donations require inventory documentation; and violations incur fines for individuals and officials. Public funds are consolidated under a restructured national foundation to cut bureaucracy and improve support mechanisms.

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Court Sentences Uzbek Citizen for Volunteering in Russia’s War in Ukraine

Published: 2025-08-26

A district court in Shahrisabz convicted an Uzbek citizen for joining Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine under Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code (Article 154-1 on mercenarism). Court documents show the man traveled to Nizhny Novgorod on 29 June 2024 for seasonal work, then crossed to Donetsk via Rostov, signing a one‑year contract with Russia’s Defense Ministry on 8 July for a monthly salary of 210,000 rubles. He completed training near Khododny Balka, served in unit 34479 in Makeyevka in logistics and as a cook, and was later deployed near Avdiivka, where he sustained serious injuries from drone strikes. After medical treatment in Russia, he returned to Uzbekistan and self-reported to the State Security Service, admitting guilt and expressing remorse. Considering his cooperation, sole breadwinner status, and a dependent child with disabilities, the court imposed four years of restricted liberty under Article 57 (leniency).

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Courts Gain Power to Temporarily Restrict Defendants’ Foreign Travel During Criminal Proceedings

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan has enacted Law No. O‘RQ-1081 introducing a new coercive measure in criminal procedure: temporary restriction of the right to leave the country for suspects, defendants, and accused persons. The reform amends the Criminal Procedure Code with Articles 254¹–254⁴ and updates laws on the Prosecutor’s Office and Courts. Investigators, inquirers, or prosecutors may petition for the measure; courts must review petitions in closed session within eight hours, and decisions are sent to the Interior Ministry and State Security Service for enforcement. Appeals can be filed within 48 hours, but do not suspend execution. Courts may lift restrictions early at the defendant’s request or for valid reasons, including overseas medical treatment. The law aims to deter absconding, safeguard victims’ rights, and ensure compensation, and took effect upon publication on August 15, 2025.

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Economy

Bank NPL Ratio Edges to 3.9% as Consumer and Microloans Expand; State Banks Drive Most Problem Debt

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s banking sector credit portfolio inched up 0.1% in July to 576.2 trillion soums (~$45.4 billion), while the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to 3.9% from 3.8%. NPL stock increased by roughly 684 billion soums in July to 22.6 trillion, reversing earlier administrative reductions. State-owned banks’ NPL ratio climbed to 4.0% versus 3.8% in private banks. The largest NPL volumes are concentrated at state lenders: NBU (~3.7 trln soums), Agrobank (~2.7 trln), and Uzpromstroybank (~2.4 trln). Among private banks, Ipoteka Bank (~2.3 trln) and Kapitalbank (~1.7 trln) lead. Product-wise, microloans expanded by 3.1 trillion soums in July; mortgage lending restarted after a three-month lull (+1.3 trln), and auto loans resumed growth (+147 bln). Several banks cut NPL ratios (e.g., Garant, Saderat), while others saw increases (e.g., Poytaxt, Yangi, Tenge).

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Som Weakens as Central Bank Sets Higher Dollar Rate Following Recent Lows

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank set the official dollar rate at UZS 12,354.65 for 27 August, up 48.85 so‘m day-on-day after a prolonged decline to the lowest level since December 2023. Market expectations pointed to a 48–49 so‘m increase, aligning closely with the official adjustment. Banks’ cash exchange boards showed tight spreads: top buy offers clustered around UZS 12,270–12,305, while sell quotes ranged roughly UZS 12,315–12,350, indicating modest retail market liquidity and competition among lenders. The euro slipped by 4.65 so‘m to UZS 14,384.52, while the Russian ruble firmed by 1.37 so‘m to UZS 153.93. The move suggests a cautious stabilization in the dollar’s trajectory after weeks of softness, with cross-currency shifts potentially reflecting external dollar strength and regional flows. No official commentary accompanied the adjustment.

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Banks Price Microloans Near 36% as Auto Loan Rates Average 23.7%, Market Spread Widens

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank data show microloans remain significantly costlier than standard consumer credit, averaging 35.9% as of August 25, versus 24.1% for other retail loans and 22.2% for corporate lending. Pricing varies widely across banks: the highest microloan rates are at TBC (42.3%), Anor (40.8%), and Tenge (39.8%), while the lowest include Aloqabank at 22.8%. Auto loans average 23.7%, led by Ipoteka Bank at 20.7% on the low end and Hamkor and Infinbank at 28.0% on the high end. The spread reflects bank partnerships with automakers, down payment levels, terms, collateral, insurance, and fees. For borrowers, total cost of credit hinges on commissions and insurance, with stronger collateral and higher upfront payments often securing better rates.

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Dealers Cleared to Trade Used Cars as ‘Trade‑Up’ Mechanism Enters Market Rules

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan has amended vehicle transaction regulations to let automaker distributors and dealers buy, sell, and exchange previously used cars, formally adding a Trade‑Up option alongside existing Trade‑In. The Cabinet decision revises a 2006 decree, replacing “specialized trade enterprises” with “manufacturers, their distributors and dealers, and distributor-affiliated dealers,” clarifying who can transact. Trade‑Up enables swapping a used vehicle for another used vehicle by settling the price difference; Trade‑In covers exchanging a used car for a new one. Agreements concluded with authorized distributors and dealers will not require notarization, streamlining retail processes and potentially professionalizing the secondary market. The move comes as officials discuss phasing out older, higher‑emission vehicles and tightening environmental standards in major cities by 2030.

"We are working to phase out 40–50‑year‑old cars, in cooperation with the Senate and Oliy Majlis." - Sherzod Ibrohimov, head of the Traffic Safety Service (gazeta.uz)

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Central Bank Approves New Rules for Changing Microfinance and Banking Activities, Regulates Guarantee Institutions

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank approved two regulatory frameworks affecting non-bank finance and banks. A new regulation formalizes procedures for microfinance organizations and banks to change their activity profile, signaling tighter oversight of licensing transitions and business model shifts. In parallel, a separate regulation establishes rules for coordinating and supervising guarantee-issuing organizations, which provide credit guarantees to SMEs and other borrowers. Together, these moves aim to standardize market entry/exit pathways, clarify risk management expectations, and improve access to finance through better-governed guarantees. International lenders and investors should anticipate more predictable processes for institutional restructuring, while banks and microfinance firms will need to align internal governance and compliance controls with the updated regulatory protocols governing activity changes and the operation of guarantee providers.

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Q2 Remittance Inflows Rise 21% to $4.8B, Growth Pace Slows Year-on-Year

Published: 2025-08-26

Remittances to Uzbekistan reached $4.8 billion in the second quarter (April–June), up 21.4% year-on-year, kun.uz reported. The growth rate, however, decelerated compared with the 38.6% expansion recorded in the same period last year, signaling a potential normalization after a post-pandemic rebound and currency shifts that previously boosted inflows. Notably, transfers from the Baltic states surged 66%, suggesting evolving migration or employment patterns among Uzbek workers in EU-adjacent markets and diversification away from traditional corridors. The stronger inflows support household consumption and import demand, with potential knock-on effects for the current account and exchange rate management. Policymakers and businesses may watch whether the slowdown in growth persists into H2, as remittances remain a key buffer for domestic spending and banking sector liquidity.

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AIIB Details Pipeline and Standards as Uzbekistan Becomes Top Regional Borrower

Published: 2025-08-26

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has invested over $3 billion in Uzbekistan across state-guaranteed and private projects aligned with green infrastructure, technology-enabled solutions, and regional connectivity. Priority public-sector financing spans electrification of the Bukhara–Miskin–Urganch–Khiva rail line, climate-resilient roads, and urban water and sanitation upgrades. In the private sector, AIIB backed renewables including a 1,500 MW wind project with 300 MW/Wh storage in Karakalpakstan. Portfolio split stands at 56% sovereign and 44% non-sovereign, with co-financing from the World Bank, IFC, ADB, and EBRD to accelerate delivery and de-risk large projects. Environmental and Social Framework standards govern due diligence, disclosure, grievance mechanisms, and contractor compliance; the bank will publish its first ESG annual report this year. Risk-based monitoring, phased disbursements, and cyber-resilience requirements are embedded across projects.

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Customs Simplify Disposal Procedures for Damaged Imports Following Cabinet Decision

Published: 2025-08-26

A new Cabinet resolution streamlines the process for disposing of imported goods that arrive in Uzbekistan and are deemed unusable. Customs authorities and other designated agencies are now authorized to carry out product utilization under simplified procedures, reducing administrative hurdles for businesses handling write-offs and environmental compliance. The change aims to accelerate clearance and disposal timelines, limit storage costs, and clarify inter-agency responsibilities when goods are damaged, expired, or otherwise unfit for sale. While technical details are not disclosed, the decision signals a broader push to modernize border processes and align disposal practices with risk management and waste regulations. Companies importing perishable or fragile items—such as food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer electronics—could see faster resolution of claims and fewer delays in supply chains as disposal steps become more predictable and less resource intensive.

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Customs Service Fees and Tariffs Approved by Finance Ministry Order

Published: 2025-08-26

"By order of the Minister of Economy and Finance, the list of paid services provided by customs authorities to individuals and legal entities and their tariffs has been approved." - Ministry announcement (kun.uz)

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has formalized the schedule of paid services offered by customs authorities to both individuals and companies, establishing official tariffs by ministerial order. The measure standardizes fees for services such as document processing, inspections, and certifications, aligning procedures across customs offices. For businesses, the approved tariff list provides greater predictability for logistics planning, cost estimation, and compliance budgeting. The move also signals tighter administrative oversight of non-tax revenue collection within the customs system. Details on specific service categories and pricing have not been published in the source article; companies should monitor official releases and the ministry’s website for the full tariff table and implementation date.

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German Lender Signals Bigger Role in Financing Local Projects

Published: 2025-08-26

Germany’s AKA Bank is set to expand financing for projects in Uzbekistan following a meeting at the country’s embassy with Mark Vengrchik, the bank’s CEO, according to kun.uz. While specific sectors and figures were not disclosed, the engagement suggests heightened German commercial interest aligned with Uzbekistan’s ongoing investment and infrastructure agenda. Such expansion typically targets export-oriented, industrial, and infrastructure projects, leveraging ECA-backed structures common to German trade finance. The move could improve access to medium- and long-term credit for Uzbek borrowers and joint ventures, potentially reducing financing costs and increasing technology transfer opportunities. Further details on pipeline size, eligibility, and timelines were not provided. No official quotes were included in the source report.

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Tashkent Holds Three-Quarters of Nationwide Bank Credit as Loan Balances Reach 576.2 Trillion Soums

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s total outstanding bank credit reached 576.2 trillion soums as of August 1, 2025, up from 500.6 trillion a year earlier, according to the Central Bank. State banks account for 392.5 trillion soums of loans, while private banks provide 183.7 trillion. Households hold 201.8 trillion soums in outstanding credit and enterprises 374.4 trillion. Tashkent city dominates the lending landscape with 286.4 trillion soums—nearly three-quarters of the national total—split between 65.7 trillion for households and 220.6 trillion for businesses. Other leading regions are Fergana (28.4 trillion), Tashkent region (27.6 trillion), and Samarkand (27.5 trillion), while Syrdarya has the lowest at 15 trillion. Ipoteka Bank leads in household lending at 25.5 trillion soums; Uzmilliybank’s portfolio is largest overall, extending 20.6 trillion to households and 85.3 trillion to enterprises. The Central Bank notes 224 out of every 1,000 working-age residents have loans.

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VAT Payer Base Expands 18.5% Year-on-Year, Led by Services and Trade

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s registered value-added tax (VAT) payer base reached 233,048 as of 1 August 2025, up 18.5% from a year earlier, signaling broader formalization and tax net expansion. Trade remains the largest segment with 79,500 VAT payers, followed by agriculture (48,200) and industry (27,900). The fastest growth came from services at 77%, suggesting rapid business formation and compliance in that sector; transport rose 18%, and information and communications increased 14.6%. The rising VAT rolls imply a wider fiscal base for the state budget and potentially stronger revenue buoyancy, while also indicating tighter registration and enforcement. For investors, the sectoral distribution highlights retail and agribusiness depth, with accelerating activity in services and logistics. Observers will watch how administrative capacity and digital systems keep pace to manage compliance and refunds efficiently.

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Three Manufacturers Launch at Chirchiq Chemical-Industrial Technopark, Expanding Rail, Retail, and Auto Supply Chains

Published: 2025-08-26

Three new resident companies—LYUDI I CIFRI, TEG, and IOTA—have opened production facilities at the Chirchiq chemical-industrial technopark, aligning with Uzbekistan’s 34th Independence anniversary events. The projects target domestic demand and export growth: LYUDI I CIFRI will produce retail shelving and related equipment; TEG will supply microprocessor-based interlocking systems and automation/telematics devices for the rail network; and IOTA will manufacture hoses and pipes for automotive air-conditioning systems. The plants are equipped with modern European machinery and collectively create around 250 local jobs. The expansion strengthens localization in retail infrastructure, rail safety and signaling, and automotive components—segments tied to broader industrial policy goals and export diversification. Officials from Chirchiq city and national chemical industry leadership attended the inauguration, signaling continued state backing for technopark-led manufacturing growth.

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Yandex Go’s Market Expands to Eight More Regions, Adds Split Payments and Pickup Points

Published: 2025-08-26

Yandex Go’s e-commerce service Market is now available in Fergana, Andijan, Namangan, Bukhara, Jizzakh, Syrdarya, and Kashkadarya regions, plus the city of Navoi, extending coverage to 10 locations nationwide including Tashkent and Samarkand. Users can compare products by features and price, purchase categories from electronics to personal care, and access Yandex Factory private-label goods. Courier delivery is active in new regions, while pickup points (BTP) operate in Bukhara, Fergana, and Margilan, with wider rollout planned. Payments can be made in-app by card or at BTPs with cash/card. The Yandex Split feature enables partial upfront payment with automatic installments over 2, 4, or 6 months. A START50 promo offers 50% off the first order (up to 50,000 soums) through October 31, 2025. Full nationwide coverage is targeted by end-2025.

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Diplomacy

Visa-Free Travel, New Commissions, and Sector Deals Mark Jordanian King’s Landmark Visit to Samarkand

Published: 2025-08-26

Jordan’s King Abdullah II paid the first high-level state visit in bilateral history, meeting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand and launching a broad upgrade of ties. Both sides agreed to abolish visa requirements, start direct flights between the capitals, and dramatically expand trade with joint investment projects spanning chemicals, textiles, smart agriculture, geology, healthcare, pharma, tourism, IT and standards. A new intergovernmental commission and a Business Council will convene their first sessions by end-2025, alongside a planned Uzbekistan–Jordan business forum. Fifteen agreements were signed, including on extradition, investment protection, customs data exchange, air services, agriculture, plant health and veterinary cooperation, higher education, tourism, and religious affairs. Mirziyoyev received Jordan’s highest “An-Nahda” order, while Uzbekistan proposed hosting a session of the Aqaba Process in Samarkand.

"We will introduce a visa-free regime and launch regular air connections between our capitals to boost business links and two-way tourism." - Presidential press service (gazeta.uz)

"I accept this award as recognition of our joint efforts to expand multifaceted cooperation and as a sign of friendship toward the people of Uzbekistan." - President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (gazeta.uz)

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Japan’s Foreign Minister to Launch First Uzbekistan Visit in Three Years, Setting Up Strategic Dialogue and Regional Agenda

Published: 2025-08-26

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Ivaya will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on 26–27 August, marking the first trip by a Japanese foreign minister to the country in three years. He is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov for the inaugural strategic dialogue to deepen cooperation across politics, the economy, culture, and joint responses to international challenges. Discussions will also cover the “Central Asia + Japan” leaders’ summit and bilateral projects in green energy, skills development, and social services, with a visit to Samarkand and meetings with regional officials planned. Ivaya framed the trip as part of a long-standing partnership dating to 1992 and ongoing Japanese support for addressing the Aral Sea crisis through technology and resilient agriculture.

"Japan remains a reliable partner and friend of Uzbekistan, and I am delighted that this long‑held wish to visit is coming true." - Takeshi Ivaya, Foreign Minister of Japan (qalampir.uz)

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Central Asian Envoys Form Contact Group on Afghanistan in Tashkent, Set Regular Consultation Format

Published: 2025-08-26

Central Asia’s special envoys on Afghanistan held their first meeting in Tashkent on 26 August, agreeing to establish a Contact Group at envoy level as an independent regional platform for sustained dialogue. Delegations from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan aligned the move with outcomes of the Aug. 9 Astana Consultative Summit and the 2025–2027 roadmap for regional cooperation. Participants emphasized a pragmatic, joint approach to Afghanistan that supports stability, security, and sustainable development across Eurasia. The agenda centers on restoring trade, transport-logistics, and cultural-humanitarian links with Afghanistan, and expanding cooperation on regional security, including countering cross-border crime, extremism, terrorism, and narcotics trafficking. The envoys agreed to hold regular meetings, including on the margins of future Central Asian leaders’ summits, aiming to consolidate a common regional position and coordination on Afghanistan-related initiatives.

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SCO Cooperation Deepens as Tashkent Pushes Security, Tech, and Inclusive Engagement

Published: 2025-08-26

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has expanded from six to 26 participants over 24 years, positioning itself as a key pillar of Eurasian stability and development. Uzbekistan—one of the founders and four-time chair—has intensified agenda‑setting since 2017 under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, advancing about 70 initiatives spanning security coordination, industrial and tech cooperation, transport‑logistics links, digital and green development, tourism, and education. Tashkent underscores the SCO’s non‑bloc, open, and consensus‑based framework, with Central Asia remaining its geographic core. Security cooperation remains central as conflicts and terrorist threats persist from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and beyond; SCO mechanisms report prevention of 69 attacks and exposure of 13,000+ financing channels in the past two years. Priorities now include bolstering counterterror structures with advanced technologies, combating terrorist use of digital tools, and accelerating adoption of an IT crime cooperation agreement and a joint anti‑extremism program.

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Infrastructure

Centrum Air to Launch Direct Tashkent–Copenhagen Flights, Eyes Wider EU Network

Published: 2025-08-26

Centrum Air will open direct flights between Tashkent and Copenhagen starting 2 October, marking the Uzbek carrier’s first route into Europe. Services will run twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with launch fares from $279. The airline positions Copenhagen as a gateway for Scandinavian and Northern European travelers to connect via Tashkent to Asian destinations including Bangkok, Seoul, Guangzhou, Phuket, as well as Tel Aviv and Central Asian capitals like Almaty, Dushanbe, and Bishkek. The new link strengthens Tashkent’s status as a regional hub and expands Centrum Air’s international footprint. The company also signaled further European growth, naming Manchester, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome as planned additions.

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Construction Output Tops 162.9 Trillion Soums in January–July, Led by Building Projects

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s construction sector recorded 162.95 trillion soums in completed works during January–July 2025, up 10.7% year on year. Building and structures dominated the mix at 68.7% of total output (102.9% of last year’s level), while civil facilities rose to a 20.9% share with a strong 25.2% annual increase. Specialized construction accounted for 10.4%, expanding by 50.1%. Large contractors executed 36.2 trillion soums in works, growing 13.7% and lifting their share to 22.2%. Small enterprises and microfirms delivered 52.6% of total output (85.73 trillion soums), up 9.2%. The informal sector contributed 25.2% (41.02 trillion soums), up 11.2%, underscoring ongoing parallel activity. Regional dynamics were uneven: large-firm output surged in Andijan (230.9% of last year’s level), Jizzakh (171.2%), and Syrdarya (169.5%), signaling shifting project pipelines and potential supply-chain and labor reallocations.

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Tashkent Airport to Add Five Licensed Taxi Desks as Concession Rights Go to E-Auction

Published: 2025-08-26

"A comprehensive solution is being developed with the Interior Ministry and the Tashkent city administration to simplify passengers’ use of official aggregators." - Javlonbek Umarxo‘jayev, Chair of Uzbekistan Airports (gazeta.uz)

Uzbekistan Airports has put multiple lots on the national e-auction platform to grant rights for organizing passenger and baggage taxi services inside Tashkent International Airport’s arrivals hall. Five service points, each 3 sq m, are planned; the starting rent is set at 1,000,000 soums per sq m (excluding VAT), with auctions scheduled for September 3. Bidders must meet technical and operational standards specified in the tender. The move follows plans announced in March to introduce digital ordering and dedicated taxi lanes, and after May’s commitment to install ordering kiosks post-arrivals hall reconstruction to enable bookings without mobile service. The airport currently has two official operators: Taxi Airport Tashkent and Sixt Uzbekistan, with expansion expected to formalize and diversify ground transport options for travelers.

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Tourist Sites to Operate at Night as Government Unveils Heritage Hotel PPP and Ticket Digitization

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan will enable museums and cultural heritage sites to operate at night under a presidential decree implementing tasks from the latest open dialogue with entrepreneurs. The Cabinet of Ministers and relevant agencies must by December 2025 draft a resolution to digitize ticketing, enable advance purchases, and launch nighttime operations at tourist sites. A parallel initiative due by November 2025 would expand public–private partnerships for heritage assets, introducing a unified "Heritage Hotels of Uzbekistan" program that leases sites long-term, establishes a state directorate, funds restoration from the state budget, and offers tax and customs incentives to participants. The government also plans preferential loans up to 30 billion soums for hotel construction, and will exempt hotels in non-major tourist areas from the tourism levy. Tashkent will roll out night buses on 15 routes, with the first corridor operating by end-2025.

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Society

Two Migration Agency Specialists Arrested in Scheme Selling Jobs in South Korea

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (DXX) opened a criminal case against two officials from the Migration Agency for allegedly running a scheme to send citizens to South Korea for cash. Investigators say the Namangan regional branch’s lead specialist took $41,000 and was detained with evidence, while a central office specialist was caught receiving $15,000. Authorities allege the pair collected more than $700,000 from over 80 people in 2024, leaving applicants without jobs or refunds. The case is proceeding under Criminal Code articles on fraud and bribery facilitation (168 and 28,211), with efforts underway to identify other group members. The DXX urged the public to report suspicious overseas employment offers to its 1520 hotline. No timeline was given for indictments or court hearings; the agency did not disclose whether funds will be recovered for victims.

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State Vouchers to Fund Jobless Training in Trades and Foreign Languages

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan has introduced a voucher scheme to fully cover training costs for unemployed residents to study professional skills or foreign languages. The regulation, approved by government decision No. 527 dated 20 August 2025, tasks the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction with maintaining an electronic registry of eligible training providers via ecosys.mehnat.uz. Applicants can apply online, through district (city) branches, or via mahalla assistants. Authorities must first offer available vacancies within one day; if unsuitable or none match the applicant’s background, the voucher is considered. Eligibility is determined through a scoring process on the ecosys platform. Vouchers are valid for three months and grant one-time free enrollment in a listed institution. The program explicitly includes members of households in the “Register of Poor Families.”

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Private School Fees in Central Asia Put Tashkent at the Top End of the Market

Published: 2025-08-26

A regional pricing snapshot shows Uzbekistan hosts Central Asia’s most expensive private K–12 option, with CIS Tashkent charging from roughly $19,000 per year for grade 3 and from $24,000 for grade 9. More moderate Tashkent alternatives include Oxbridge International School at $7,660 (primary) to $9,085 (upper), Artel TS at about $3,200 per nine-month year, Wise School near $437 monthly, and Diplomat International School at $596–$628 per month plus a $318 enrollment fee. In Kazakhstan’s Almaty, premium schools such as Miras reach $12,927 (upper grades), while mid-market options range from about $2,466 to $4,908 annually. Kyrgyzstan spans budget to premium, from sub-$3,000 to $15,000 at BIS. Tajikistan remains the least costly, with leading schools generally between $1,610 and $2,899 per year depending on language of instruction.

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Tashkent Schedules Independence Day Fairs and Concerts Across Districts on 30–31 August

Published: 2025-08-26

Tashkent’s city administration announced that public fairs and concert programs marking Uzbekistan’s Independence Day will be held across multiple districts on 30–31 August. Events begin at staggered times, with some locations starting at 12:00 and others from 18:00 and 19:00. The Yunusabad district will host festivities at the “Uzexpocenter” square, with additional venues expected citywide. While the full roster of sites and performers was not fully detailed, the announcement signals broad, district-level programming intended to disperse crowds and improve access. For attendees, the schedule suggests daytime family-oriented fairs followed by evening concerts. Companies should anticipate traffic controls near major squares and consider adjusted commuting or delivery plans during event hours. Further details are typically released by the hokimiyat closer to the dates, including security perimeters, transport diversions, and any public transport extensions.

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Environment

Cross-Border Water Governance Gains Urgency as Scarcity Intensifies

Published: 2025-08-26

A Kun.uz analysis underscores that managing water resources increasingly requires international cooperation beyond national borders. Transboundary water systems span 145 countries and support more than 40% of the global population, highlighting the systemic risks when governance is fragmented. The article frames water scarcity as one of today’s most pressing global challenges, with implications for regional stability, agricultural output, urban supply, and industrial planning. For Central Asia, where major rivers are shared across borders, modern, rules-based frameworks and data-sharing are critical to balance upstream hydropower needs with downstream irrigation and municipal demands. Strengthening legal mechanisms, adopting contemporary management approaches, and coordinating policies will be key to mitigating conflicts, improving resilience to climate stress, and ensuring reliable access for populations and economies dependent on cross-border water flows.

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Kyoto University and Aral Sea Innovation Center Deploy Advanced Ecosystem Monitoring Network

Published: 2025-08-26

A new Eddy Covariance monitoring system has been installed through a partnership between Kyoto University researchers and the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea Region. The platform directly measures exchanges of CO2, water vapor, heat, and momentum between land surface and the atmosphere, collecting high-frequency, real-time data to reveal ecosystem dynamics. Beyond ecological diagnostics, the system quantifies gas emissions and micro-mixing over agricultural lands—supporting evidence-based land and water management in a climate-stressed region. The deployment aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to modernize environmental monitoring and could underpin future carbon accounting, irrigation planning, and climate adaptation strategies. No official statements were provided in the report, and the article does not specify the number or locations of sensors, the project’s funding, or data-sharing arrangements.

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Innovation

New Telecom Regulator Established to Monitor Service Quality and Boost Competition

Published: 2025-08-26

A dedicated Telecommunications Regulation Agency has been created to refine oversight of the sector, enhance service quality and foster competition under Presidential Decree PF-142 dated 21 August 2025. The agency will serve as the independent regulator while the Ministry of Digital Technologies remains the competent state authority, aligning roles defined in Articles 9 and 11 of the Law “On Telecommunications.” The regulator will monitor operators’ and providers’ compliance with quality standards and report to the Cabinet of Ministers, with financial and decision-making independence. Initial funding in 2025 will come from the Digital Technologies Development Fund, shifting to the state budget from 2026, supplemented by 5% of state duty from telecom licensing and other lawful sources. Staffing will be formed from existing positions within the ministry and the Treasury Committee. The decree took effect on 23 August 2025.

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Courts to Adopt AI and Launch Justice Academy as Digitalization Accelerates

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan is advancing judicial reforms through two presidential decrees: one to embed artificial intelligence across court operations and another to overhaul training for judges and court staff. The “Digital Court” concept will phase out paper, move filings fully online, auto-generate draft rulings, and offer AI-based pre-filing forecasts of case outcomes and costs. Infrastructure upgrades include a centralized court document archive and research in cyber law, alongside continuous upskilling in digital literacy. A new Justice Academy will replace the Higher School of Judges, introducing six‑month state-funded preparatory courses for judge candidates from 1 October 2025, leadership retraining for sitting judges, and an applied magistrate program from 2026/27. Authorities frame the package as strengthening rule of law, transparency, and business confidence through standardized, tech-enabled procedures and internationally aligned training.

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Health

Pharma and Medical Device Registration Overhauled with GMP, ISO Standards and 5‑Year Certificates

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan has approved a presidential decree reforming the regulation of medicines and medical devices to align with international standards. From 1 January 2026, all medical products will first be registered as medical devices, then classified into four risk-based safety categories, and finally registered based on positive clinical study results. Beginning 1 January 2027, drug manufacturers must hold a national Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate for their product type, while from 1 July 2027 medical device makers must comply with ISO 13485. From 2026, both domestic and foreign producers must present a national GMP certificate to register drugs or extend registrations. Registration certificates for drugs and devices will be valid for five years, including converting previously perpetual certificates for local firms to five-year terms. Contract manufacturing will be permitted, and retail licensing for medical device sales will be replaced by notification to the competent authority.

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Health-Tech Partnership with China Expands as Uzbekistan Advances Laboratory Diagnostics

Published: 2025-08-26

Uzbekistan is deepening health-technology ties with China following a high-profile visit to Shenzhen. A delegation joined an international conference organized by Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering (SNIBE), where over 400 delegates from 161 countries discussed advances in biomedical engineering and diagnostics. Deputy Health Minister Farhod Tashpulatov highlighted strategic cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organization members, particularly China, and reviewed joint projects with SNIBE. In 2024, two grant projects worth $6 million delivered 125 modern laboratory diagnostic devices to Uzbek medical institutions, aiming to improve accuracy and expand access to services. The delegation inspected SNIBE-equipped labs at Pingshan Central Hospital (800 beds) and toured SNIBE’s headquarters for production and R&D briefings. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration on workforce training, adoption of new lab technologies, and joint research initiatives.

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