Uzbekistan competition authority identifies violations worth over 8 billion soums

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection of Uzbekistan has initiated cases against nine companies across six regions for violations in the sale of high-liquidity goods. The total value of products sold in breach of established requirements exceeded 8 billion soums.

According to the authority, the main violations were related to the sale of goods through direct contracts instead of mandatory exchange-based trading, as required by law.

The largest volume of violations was identified at the state-owned company “Uzbekkumir.” The committee reported that in April the enterprise sold coal worth 4.3 billion soums through pricing schemes that led to inflated prices due to alleged price manipulation.

It was also found that the company failed to list coal on exchange trading platforms in the volumes and timelines required by approved schedules. A special commission issued an order to eliminate the violations.

In Tashkent, proceedings were initiated against Shavkat Business Agro, Export Gold Agro, and Flour Asia for selling flour—produced from grain purchased on exchange markets—through direct contracts.

In Surkhandarya region, violations were recorded at Surkhondaryo Don Mahsulotlari. The company reportedly exported 375 tons of first-grade flour worth 1.2 billion soums and failed to list a significant portion of its exchange-purchased grain-derived products on the exchange. The company has been ordered to pay financial penalties and correct the violations.

Similar cases were identified in Samarkand region against Humo Agro Platinum and Zomin Ishonch under violations of competition law and mandatory exchange trading requirements.

In Namangan region, the Pop Sement cement plant sold 4,300 tons of cement worth 2.4 billion soums through direct contracts, resulting in penalties for failing to sell at least half of its production via exchange mechanisms.

Additionally, the Competition Committee identified violations at the Kasan oil and fat enterprise, which sold cotton oil, meal, and husks through direct contracts. The company has been instructed to recalculate unjustified income amounting to 91 million soums.

The regulator stated that enforcement measures are aimed at ensuring transparency, fair pricing, and compliance with mandatory exchange trading rules.