Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan Adham Ikramov spoke about the work of operational “headquarters” created to support entrepreneurship, conduct business remotely, as well as issues that concern business today, in an interview for Uzbekistan 24 TV channel. This was reported by the CCI press service.

On 15 March 2020, a Special Republican Commission was established, approved by the Head of State, Presidential Decrees were adopted on March 19 and April 3, tell us about measures to reduce the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the business community?

It is known that around the world numerous measures are being taken to combat the spread of coronavirus infection, including by restricting the movement of people and closing enterprises.

In this regard, the President signed a decree of March 19 on priority measures and on April 3 on additional measures to mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the global crisis on economic sectors.

The decrees envisage a number of benefits and preferences, which are undoubtedly aimed at supporting entrepreneurs today, and the rapid restoration of their activities in the post-pandemic period.

In particular, the Anti-Crisis Fund under the Ministry of Finance was created in the amount of 30 trillion soums, at the same time as the Special Republican Commission led by the Prime Minister, the work of its regional divisions, led by the khokims of the regions, was organized in a 24-hour mode, until October 1, 2020. the minimum amount of social tax for individual entrepreneurs was reduced to 50% (amounting to 111.5 thousand soums), during the period from April 1 to July 1, 2020 the calculation and payment of tourist (hotel) fees will be suspended, tax rates for the use of water resources on volumes used for irrigation of agricultural land were reduced by 50%, until October 1, 2020, the application of penalties to business entities for overdue receivables from foreign trade operations was suspended.

If we talk about numbers, then:

In January-March of the current year, 23.3 thousand new enterprises were registered (including 2.7 thousand from March 15 to March 31, the implementation of the plan was 120%).

For 198 thousand individual entrepreneurs forced to temporarily suspend their activities, the accrual of 541 billion soums of personal income tax in a fixed amount and social tax was suspended.

Structural units, as well as tourism entities and hotel services, were exempted from paying land tax and property tax, the social tax rate was reduced for them from 12% to 1%, as a result of which 136 billion soums will remain at their disposal.

25.2 thousand VAT payers, the turnover on the sale of which does not exceed 1 billion soums per month and using electronic invoices, have the right to pay VAT once a quarter for a total of 450 billion soums.

As we know, today all organizations and offices have switched to a remote work system. What conditions have been created for entrepreneurs in this direction and what is the role of the Chamber of Commerce and the business ombudsman at the regional, district and national levels.

On 18 March, at a video conference, the Head of the country gave instructions to create, on the basis of the reception, the Prime Minister for Entrepreneurship, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Business Ombudsman in all regions of Uzbekistan, operational headquarters for receiving and immediately resolving business appeals in a 24-hour format.

The work of the headquarters is organized both for the reception and consideration of appeals through the electronic portal of the Prime Minister’s office for entrepreneurship (business.gov.uz), and for the Call-Center communication system of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry at 1100 short number.

As a result of this, a mechanism was created to support entrepreneurs, online using mobile applications, by direct and feedback methods with all business representatives so that they could function without incurring large losses during the crisis.

It should be noted that the business did not stop, economic processes are underway.

For reference:

- In January-March of the current year, 23.3 thousand new enterprises were registered (including 2.7 thousand from March 15 to March 31, the implementation of the plan was 120%).

- of these 9 312 (39.9%) enterprises in the field of trade, 4 345 (18.6%) - industry, 2 637 (11.3%) - agriculture, 1 844 (7.9%) - construction, 2 769 (11.8%) - services and other directions.

Also during the quarantine period, i.e. from March 15 to March 31, 2.7 thousand were registered:

934 (35%) - trade;

601 (22%) - industry;

492 (18%) - agriculture;

227 (8%) - services;

205 (8%) - construction;

41 (2%) - information, communications and others.

At the same time, in the first 8 days of April, 723 new enterprises were created, 18% of which were registered independently, without contacting the center of public services.