Uzbekistan Eases a Number of Legal Provisions to Reduce the Burden on Business

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a law introducing amendments and additions to several legislative acts aimed at eliminating provisions that created excessive administrative and legal difficulties for entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan reports.

In particular, the law expands the powers of the state forestry authorities. They are now authorized to lease unused forest fund land to individuals and legal entities through electronic online auctions.

This mechanism is expected to increase transparency in the allocation of land resources and create additional opportunities for business development.

The amendments also affect the Economic Procedural Code.

Under the revised provisions, the validity of licenses or permits for certain types of entrepreneurial activity may be suspended for more than 10 days, but no longer than six months. Previously, the law allowed suspension of such licenses for periods exceeding 10 working days without a clear upper limit, which often created legal uncertainty for businesses.

In addition, the law “On Employment” has been adjusted regarding self-employed individuals.

Under the changes, self-employed persons now have the right to voluntarily pay the social tax in an amount of at least one base calculation indicator. Previously, the minimum contribution was set at no less than 50 percent of the base calculation indicator.