Finance Ministry comments new draft resolution of Government on wholesale of alcoholic products

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - A draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Approving the Regulation on Licensing of Wholesale Trade in Alcoholic Products” posted for public discussion caused some misunderstandings.

The requirement for timely transfer by licensees of 5% of their net proceeds to the account of the Fund for Support of Viticulture and Winemakers of the Agency for the Development of Viticulture and Winemaking under the Ministry of Agriculture was perceived as a new type of tax for business entities engaged in wholesale trade in alcohol products.

In this regard, the Finance Ministry noted that the above norm is not an innovation, as it was previously reflected in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 5, 2019 No. PP-4161 "On the organization of the Agency for the development of viticulture and winemaking under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic Uzbekistan ”.

It should be noted that the norm for transferring 5% of the net revenue by business entities engaged in the wholesale trade of alcoholic products was previously applied in relation to the Development Fund of Uzsharobsanoat.

At the same time, this project is aimed at radically improving the licensing system for the wholesale trade in alcoholic beverages. To date, the wholesale distribution of Sharobsavdo (71 wholesale base), with a 100% state share, was entitled to carry out wholesale trade in alcohol products.

The above project will create conditions for legal entities wishing to carry out wholesale trade in alcoholic beverages.