Uzbek Business Proposes Abolishing Import Duties on Sugar and Fruit Concentrates

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s business community has called on the government to abolish import duties on sugar, an issue that became one of the key topics during an open dialogue between entrepreneurs and ambassadors held on 21 January.

Alfiya Musina, Executive Director of the UzBev Association of Soft Drink and Juice Producers, proposed eliminating the 10 percent import duty on fruit concentrates (HS Code 2009) that are not produced domestically, including orange and mango concentrates.

According to her, the high cost of sugar remains a “pain point for all local producers.” Currently, white sugar is subject to a 20 percent import duty (HS Code 170199).

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Davron Vakhabov raised the issue with Jasur Karshibaev, Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Finance, questioning the rationale for imposing duties on orange concentrates given that the fruit is not grown in Uzbekistan.

Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev instructed the Ministry of Economy and Finance to study the issue and present its conclusions within two weeks.

Jamshid Khodjaev also noted that two major sugar production projects are currently being implemented in the country, and an increase in domestic sugar output is expected within the next two to three years.