A parliamentary inquiry was sent to improve the competitiveness of the country’s special economic zones
20/11/2020 22:37
A parliamentary inquiry was sent to improve the competitiveness of the country’s special economic zones
20/11/2020 22:37
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the ninth plenary meeting of the Senate on 20 November, the issue of sending a parliamentary request to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on measures taken to increase the competitiveness of the country’s special economic zones was considered.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that special economic zones play an important role in the implementation of the tasks set by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to modernize and diversify production, attract direct foreign investment and innovation to the economy, develop infrastructure and increase employment.
Thanks to important measures taken over the past four years to improve legislation and create a favorable investment climate, 21 special economic zones and 143 small industrial zones operate in 13 regions. In the special economic zones of the republic, 368 projects have been implemented for a total amount of US2.091 billion, of which US$726.8 million are foreign direct investments. As a result of the implementation of these projects, 29 351 thousand new jobs were created.
In addition, it was noted at the meeting that at the current stage of development in Central Asia, competition is increasing to attract foreign investment and advanced technologies to the national economy. In four of the five states of the region, special economic zones are open and are successfully functioning, which, as the analysis has shown, have a number of geopolitical, tax and customs advantages.
At the same time, serious criticism and concern of members of the Senate was caused by negative facts revealed during the study of the activities of special economic zones by the Senate Committee on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investments and Tourism.
In particular, the Committee, based on an analysis of the activities of domestic special economic zones, appeals of legal entities and individuals, a survey conducted among investors, identified a number of problematic issues and shortcomings that require urgent solutions.
First of all, these are the facts of contradiction and inconsistency in regulatory legal acts, as well as their arbitrary interpretation by state bodies. Lack of a long-term strategy for the development of a number of special economic zones, delay in consideration of investment applications by authorized state bodies, the presence of unreasonable bureaucratic obstacles and administrative restrictions.
As part of the discussion, the senators noted that the authorized state bodies in the territories of special economic zones have not yet resolved issues related to the quality of engineering and communication (electricity, gas, cold water, sewage) and social infrastructure, a simplified procedure for obtaining multiple-entry visas for foreign investors, workers and their families.
In addition, critical opinions were expressed that, despite the favorable conditions created at the initiative of the head of state, special economic zones, unfortunately, do not become centers of attraction for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, their implementation of innovative projects based on advanced technologies.
In this context, a resolution of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis was adopted on sending a parliamentary request to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on measures taken to increase the competitiveness of the country’s special economic zones.
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