November 1-30, 2020
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UZBEKISATN– NOVEMBER 1-30, 2020 UZBEKISATN– NOVEMBER 1-30, 2020 ....................................................................................................................................... 1 TOP NEWS OF THE PERIOD ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Government intends to increase excise tax rates on petrol and diesel 2 Leading trade partners of Uzbekistan 2 POLITICS AND LAW ................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Namangan plans to build an international business center: Alisher Usmanov to contribute to the implementation of the project 3 Uzbekistan rises in the Legatum Prosperity Index 3 Worldwide Cost of Living 2020 report: Tashkent among cheapest cities to live in 4 International Organization of Migration to open its office in Uzbekistan 4 Central Asia, EU reaffirm their commitment to build strong relations 5 Facilitating Uzbekistan's Accession to the WTO 7 Economy AND FINANCE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Uzbekistan takes first place in the world in terms of gold sold in the third quarter 8 The National Venture Fund UzVC is being created 8 Diesel fuel production of Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards starts in Ferghana region 9 Food labelling is being introduced in Uzbekistan 9 BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 New rates of customs duties approved 10 Uzbekistan improves its position in Nation Brands 2020 report 10 State Tax Committee launches a system for registration of electronic contracts 11 Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Uzbekistan banking structure representatives discuss prospects in the investment sphere 11 List of 20 largest taxpayers in Uzbekistan announced 12 Project for the cultivation of industrial cannabis to be realized in Uzbekistan 13 Uzbek agriculture expands to new markets 13 Uzbekistan`s raisin exports soar to $42.5mn 14 The Austrian company to establish silk production in Tashkent 14 Agricultural products for export 14 Coca-Cola Uzbekistan working towards privatization 15 Uzbekistan imports over $64 million-worth mobile phones 15 UzAuto Motors takes up to €150 million syndicated loan to launch production of new models 15 Uzbekistan’s secondary car market estimated at $2 billion 16 Enterprises of Uzbekistan produce products worth 26.9 trillion soums. 16 Tourism AND CULTURE ......................................................................................................................................................................17 Austrian company invests in Uzbek mountains 17 New project for sustainable tourism in Central Asia 17 Tashkent hosts Virtual International Tourism Fair “Tourism on the Silk Road 2020” 18 A short list of films nominated for the Oscar nomination from Uzbekistan published 18 Exposition hall of the State Museum of History and Culture of the Republic of Karakalpakstan 19 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2020 page 1 of 20 CIS Council for Cultural Cooperation Meeting 19 TOP NEWS OF THE PERIOD Government intends to increase excise tax rates on petrol and diesel The government of Uzbekistan plans to increase the excise tax rates on gasoline and diesel fuel. This is stipulated by the draft law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Connection with the Adoption of the Main Directions of Tax Policy for 2021". The Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan has published a draft law. According to the document, the rate of excise tax on gasoline Ai-80 as of 1 January 2021 will be 200,000 soums per ton, grade Ai-90 and above – 250,000 soums per ton, diesel fuel – 200,000 soums per ton, and also diesel fuel EKO – 180,000 soums per ton. From 1 February 2021, it is proposed to increase the excise tax rates on gasoline and diesel fuel. From February, it is proposed to set the rate of excise tax on Ai-80 gasoline at 240,000 soums per ton, Ai- 90 and above – 275,000 soums per ton, diesel fuel – 240,000 soums per ton, as well as diesel fuel ECO – 216,000 soums per ton. The government of Uzbekistan proposes to establish new rates of excise tax paid when selling gasoline, diesel fuel and gas to the end consumer. The document proposes to increase from 1 February 2021, the excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, paid upon sale to the end consumer, from 285 soums per liter to 350 soums per liter (or from 378,480 soums per ton to 465,530 soums per ton). From February 2021, the rate of excise tax on compressed gas when sold to the end consumer is proposed to be increased from 285 soums per liter to 350 soums per liter (or from 540 645 soums per ton to 665 493 soums per ton). At the same time, the rate of excise tax on liquefied gas when sold to the end consumer can grow from 435 soums per cubic meter to 500 soums per cubic meter. UzDaily – Uzdaily.com Leading trade partners of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover has reached $30,059.4 million. In January-October, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $30,059.4 million, of which exports amounted to $13,329.1 million, and imports – $16,730.3 million. According to the State Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan cooperates with more than 160 countries of the world. The largest volume of foreign trade turnover was recorded with China (17.1 percent), Russia (15.1 percent), Kazakhstan (7.7 percent), the Republic of Korea (5.9 percent), Turkey (5.5 percent), Kyrgyzstan (2.4 percent) and Germany (2.1 percent). //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2020 page 2 of 20 Uzbekistan National News Agency – uza.uz POLITICS AND LAW Namangan plans to build an international business centre: Alisher Usmanov to contribute to the implementation of the project An international business centre will be built in the city of Namangan. The implementation of the project will be financed from the “Obod qishloq” program, which was largely sponsored by founder of USM Holding, Uzbek-born Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov. According to the press service of the Namangan regional khokimiyat, on the territory of the complex with an area of 6 hectares, it is planned to build a congress hall, a business school, a hotel, an eco-park and a sports-recreation facility. Creating artificial lakes and fountains is also included in the master plan. The cost and timing of the project are not specified yet. It is known that construction will begin next spring. “It is planned to hold international symposia and business forums here. This will accelerate the flow of investment to Namangan and create ample opportunities for business tourism. The centre will become a unique brand of Namangan,” said regional khokim Shavkat Abdurazzakov. Alisher Usmanov has been providing large-scale, comprehensive assistance to Uzbekistan for many years. These funds, in particular, in the Namangan region are being directed to the “Obod qishloq” program aimed at the integrated development of the region. For these purposes, only last year, Usmanov transferred $50 million to improve the living conditions of the people. Noting the huge contribution of Alisher Usmanov to the development of the Namangan region, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that it is planned to open a youth business centre named after Alisher Usmanov in Namangan. In this centre, foreign specialists will train young people in business skills. This is a personal initiative of the President and the regional authorities. kun.uz Uzbekistan rises in the Legatum Prosperity Index Uzbekistan has climbed from 102nd to 97th line in the Legatum Prosperity Index, the annual ranking of the Legatum Institute. The authors compare countries based on 12 criteria: Safety & Security, Personal Freedom, Governance, Social Capital, Investment Environment, Enterprise Conditions, Market Access & Infrastructure, Economic Quality, Living Conditions, Health, Education, Natural Environment. Uzbekistan remains weak in three categories: Natural Environment (157th place), Personal Freedom (147th place) and Governance (136th place). According to the index, the strengths of Uzbekistan are Social Capital (20th place), Health (43rd place) and Safety & Security (52nd place). In 2010, for the first time, Uzbekistan was included in the index and ranked 109th, consequently rising to 102nd in 2019. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4/03/2019 Uzbekistan, June 1-30, 2020 page 3 of 20 kun.uz Worldwide Cost of Living 2020 report: Tashkent among cheapest cities to live in Economist Intelligence Unit specialists have prepared the Worldwide Cost of Living 2020 report, within the framework of which a rating of the most expensive and cheapest cities in the world was compiled. Tashkent retained