This week, key issues were discussed in the areas of urban environment, transportation, economy, and energy. In this weekly roundup, Spot has gathered the most important articles and news that you might have missed.
Urban Environment
Since the end of last week, a new wave of demolitions of illegal structures has begun in Tashkent. The Hokimiyat of the Yakkasaray district announced the dismantling of several dozen objects, including an extension of the “ChaiKof” café on Shota Rustaveli Street.
Prior to this, the administration of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district reported on the demolition of buildings and advertising structures. A video attached to the message documented the removal of the signs for Oqtepa Lavash and Bellissimo Pizza, as well as several constructions.
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The founder of the Giotto chain, Kemal Kaya, told Spot that on January 23, officials from the Hokimiyat visited the branch on Buyuk Ipak Yuli Street to check the legality of the advertising structures' installation. The entrepreneur had obtained an advertising location passport and paid a fee of 337,500 sums; however, the administration still dismantled the Giotto sign and warned about the potential demolition of the summer terrace.
On January 30, several unauthorized constructions near Westminster University (MWUT) were demolished in the Mirabad district. Among those slated for demolition were a bus stop housing a café and a store, as well as the summer terrace of the Timekeeper hookah bar.
The owner of the Timekeeper chain, Rashid Bogatyrev, shared a video of the demolition and noted in the description that “the restaurant business is not a sprint, but a marathon.” He urged colleagues to “hold on” and “wait it out,” adding that appeals would bring “no results.”
The press secretary of the Hokimiyat of the Mirzo-Ulugbek district, Ma'murjon Parmonov, informed Spot that all owners of properties in illegally occupied areas on Shahrisabz Street have been given notifications requiring them to dismantle illegal structures within 15 days. He stated that the issue of land seizures in this district has been raised for several years and that entrepreneurs have repeatedly received warnings.
The owner of several properties on Shahrisabz Street, Gulnoza Babajanova, reported that she received the notification at the last moment and had previously faced attempts to seize the land for the benefit of third parties. Around 20 property owners who diligently pay taxes are in a similar situation, she added.
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Parmоnov also reminded that plots in the capital are provided exclusively through online auctions. Even after winning the bids, it is mandatory to formalize the land according to established rules and follow all procedures, he emphasized. In June 2024, it became known that the rental of adjacent lands for summer terraces had been “temporarily suspended.”
Transportation and Border
The Chairman of Uzbekistan Airways, Shukhrat Khudaikulov, discussed the national carrier's plans to purchase 14 Boeing 787−8 Dreamliner aircraft and announced the acquisition of two ATR 72−600 for its subsidiary Silk Avia. He stated that since January 20, the company has been operating flights to Europe bypassing Russian airspace.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the development of the transportation and logistics system, which includes the launch of an electronic queue at vehicle checkpoints across the border starting June 1. The document also outlines measures to double international cargo transportation.
The Customs Committee announced the closure of the “Daut-Ota” - “Tazhen” crossing on the border with Kazakhstan for citizens and all types of transport, except trucks weighing over 3.5 tons, starting February 1. The reason cited was repair work on the Kazakh side. Additionally, the “Gishtkuprik” (Chernyaevka) post will be closed for four months starting February 5.
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At the same time, from January 27, the “Navoi” customs post (KPP “Zangiota”) resumed operations in test mode, with a new parking lot organized for vehicles. Travelers are also advised to use the border crossings “Yallama,” “Ok oltin,” and “Malik.”
Economy and Energy
On January 27, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the state program project “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.” During this meeting, the president announced the transition to a “resource-saving” economic model and the development of low-energy industries, as well as tasked the development of new renewable energy projects for 1 GW.
The Minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, reported plans to install solar panels and water heaters on at least 50% of the roof area of residential and utility buildings. Deputy Prosecutor General Shokhrukh Aminov stated that at least 40% of the needs of households, small businesses, and social institutions would be covered by renewable energy sources, assuring “unconditional” compliance with the directives.
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The next day, the president held a meeting on measures to develop the energy sector and set the task of attracting $4 billion in investments into the “National Electric Networks,” as well as reducing electricity losses. According to the head of the Ministry of Energy, it is planned to introduce preferential tariffs for electrified homes. The Director of the Agency for the Development and Regulation of the Energy Market, Sherzod Khojaev, promised to launch wholesale online electricity trading in 2026.
The Ministry of Agriculture explained the reasons for the recent increase in potato prices, citing a low yield from the second sowing, as well as rising prices for seedlings, fuel, and fertilizers. They plan to stabilize prices before the new harvest through imports. The president instructed to achieve self-sufficiency in potatoes by 2027 and to introduce a cashback on land tax for farmers, as well as to create a special holding for the processing of products from household plots.
On January 27, Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the reorganization of the construction sector, which includes the introduction of escrow accounts starting in July. The president approved the introduction of a “single life cycle for housing,” the launch of an electronic platform for shared construction, and the issuance of mortgage securities.
Other News
As of January 28, the cryptocurrency exchange Binance officially started operating in Uzbekistan. The platform is available based on the local service Coinpay and allows users to deposit or withdraw funds via bank cards and local payment systems.
At the same time, the president issued a decree on the development of Uzbekistan's pharmaceutical industry, which plans to launch a venture fund for medical startups. It also includes the introduction of a 2% import duty on a range of finished medicines.
The Competition Committee granted the payment service Payme the status of a digital platform operator with a dominant position. It is noted that the company sent the Committee a corresponding notification.
Articles of the Week
Spot published a compilation of innovations that will come into effect starting February 2025. Specifically:
- ticket prices for passenger trains will increase by 10%, while tickets for Afrosiyob trains will become 20-25% more expensive depending on the class;
- founders of exporting companies in IT Park will receive tax benefits on dividends;
- general security for customs payments will be introduced.
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A video appeal from artisans at the capital's ethnographic park “Navruz” went viral on social media regarding a sudden increase in rent by more than double. The authors requested the president to intervene in the situation. Spot spoke with the artisans to understand why the rent rose so sharply and what now awaits the masters of the ethno-park.
The CEO of the Kazakh service 1Fit, Murat Alihanov, shared with Spot how the idea for the startup came about, how he promoted the project without funding, how much is currently invested in advertising, and why the service does not work with luxury gyms.