Creation of the public-private partnership development agency

In accordance with the Presidential Resolution No. PP-3980, a Public-Private Partnership Agency has been created under the Ministry of Finance. The Agency is a specialized body for coordination and development of Public-Private Partnerships. One of the main goals of the Agency is to increase the quality and sustainability of Public-Private Partnerships.

Moreover, it monitors Public-Private Partnership projects, as well as provides methodological support and prepares drafts of the tender documents. Any documents, including draft regulatory legal acts, tender documentation and draft agreements in the field of Public-Private Partnerships are subject to mandatory coordination with the Agency.

Presidential Resolution “On Measures to Organise an Effective System of Coordination and Development of Public-Private Partnership” No. PP-3980 of 20 October 2018.

Introducing a special investor’s visa

According to the Presidential Decree No. UP-5635, an investor’s visa was introduced in March 2019.An investor’s visa is available for both foreign investors and their relatives. The validity of the visa is 3 years with the possibility of extension without leaving Uzbekistan.

Moreover, a residence permit for a period of 10 years will be issued to a foreign investor who has contributed USD 3 million for the production of goods and services. Foreign investors and their families with an investor’s visa or residence permit have access to the country`s medical care and educational services provided for Uzbek citizens.

A temporary residence permit for foreign investors will be issued at the place of the implementation of the investment project. The validity period is equal to the term of the visa. In case of the absence of a valid visa, the residence permit will be issued for 12 months.

Presidential Decree “On State Program of Implementation of the Action Strategy for the Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Five Priority Directions for 2017-2021 in the Year of Active Investments and Social Development” No. UP-5635 of 17 January 2019.

Anti-corruption committee will be set up in the parliament

During the Presidents` report at the meeting dedicated to the 26th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev underlined the need to establish an Anti-Corruption Committee in the Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. Consequently, the Committee on Judicial and Legal Issues and Countering Corruption is to be created under the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis.

The Committee is entrusted with a number of tasks, which include parliamentary control over the formation and implementation of State anti-corruption programs and preparation of proposals for improving existing legislation on combating corruption.

http://parliament.gov.uz/ru/events/other/27140/

Lifting prohibitions on the employment of women in certain industries

The Resolution No. PP-4235 of the President introduces changes intended to address Uzbekistan`s gender imbalance in the workplace. Currently, the Labour Code prohibits women to work in certain industries that have adverse working conditions. The Resolution proposes to adopt a list of industries and professions that may be harmful to women`s health instead of a total ban.

Along with this, Women`s Entrepreneurship Centres will be created as a non-governmental and non-profit organisation. With the assistance of the Women`s Committee of Uzbekistan, a Commission for the Protection of Gender Equality of Women will be established. The Law “On Guarantees of Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Men and Women” and the Law “On Protection of Women from Oppression and Violence” will be drafted.

Presidential Resolution “On Measures to Further Strengthen the Guarantees of Labour Rights and Support Women`s Entrepreneurship” No. PP-4235 of 7 March 2019.

Restructuring of Uzbekenergo and Uzbekneftegaz

On February 1, 2019, the President of Uzbekistan signed a resolution on the organization of the activities of the newly formed Ministry of Energy.

  • Until March 1, models for reforming the electricity industry with a detailed roadmap will be developed with the technical assistance of the World Bank;
  • Until March 15, the Ministry will develop a draft presidential decree on the restructuring of Uzbekenergo in accordance with the modern scheme for organizing the production, transportation, distribution and sale of electric energy;
  • Until April 1, a draft document should be prepared on the restructuring of Uzbekneftegaz, including the optimization of inefficient management structures, the reorganization of enterprises in the industry based on the profile of their activities, and the attraction of private, foreign, direct investment to their development, including public-private partnership schemes;
  • Until May 1, it is planned to develop a Concept for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources in Uzbekistan for the period 2019-2023.

The functions of the Ministry of Economy and Industry and Uzbekneftegaz in the sphere of production sharing agreements are transferred to the Ministry of Energy.

Presidential Resolution “On Measures to Organize the Activities of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PP-4142 of 1 February 2019.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.