Uzbek Electrical Equipment Manufacturer Complains About Russian Market Restrictions

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An Uzbek manufacturer of electrical equipment has raised concerns over tariff and non-tariff barriers in Russia. The issue was highlighted on 29 January during an open dialogue with entrepreneurs from the electrical engineering sector.

Sarvar Akhadov, Director of Texnopark, noted that Russia is implementing a large-scale program to replace between 46,000 and 85,000 worn-out elevators. However, he said, in order to protect its domestic market, Russian authorities restrict participation in the renovation programs to companies from countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Commenting on the situation, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev said that each time this issue is raised, Russian officials effectively link market access to Uzbekistan’s membership in the EAEU. “Whenever we bring this up, we are told: ‘We will definitely do it, but you also need to join the EAEU,’” he said.

Akhadov urged the government to help address the problem of Uzbek electrical products’ access to the Russian market and proposed launching a pilot project in a remote Russian region. He estimated that Uzbekistan could export up to 10,000 elevators per year, equivalent to approximately US$200 million, assuming an average cost of US$20,000 per elevator.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested raising the issue more actively through direct talks with Russian regional leaders, noting that the federal authorities’ stance remains unchanged. “When we discuss this with the central government, the answer is always the same — with an ironic smile: ‘Want access? Then join the EAEU. You are living separately,’” Khodjaev said.

He instructed Shamsiddin Abdullaev, First Secretary for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Russia, to engage with governors of Russian regions, emphasizing that dialogue at the regional level could produce more practical results.

Uzbekistan has held observer status at the Eurasian Economic Union since December 2020 and participated for the first time in the EAEU Commission Council in January 2021.