Uzbekistan competition watchdog warns against school price hikes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee has warned businesses against unjustified price increases for school uniforms, textbooks, stationery and other goods sold at seasonal school bazaars ahead of the new academic year.

Such marketplaces have opened nationwide at general education schools, farmers’ markets and shopping complexes, the Competition Committee said.

The committee reminded sellers that they must comply with legal requirements, ensure the quality of products and provide consumers with complete information about the goods. In particular, the price and manufacturer’s details must be indicated on the product or at the point of sale.

Consumers are advised to check the quality of school supplies and compare prices before making purchases.

The Competition Committee is monitoring prices at school bazaars. Citizens can report unjustified price increases by calling the unified hotline at 1159.

More than 795,000 children will start school for the first time in the new academic year. Each first-grader has been prepared a “President’s Gift” containing a set of 12 school supplies.