“Customs duties are very high in the country” – Ulugbek Sotiboldiyev

A member of the Senate Committee of Oliy Majlis on the issues of budget and economic reforms Ulugbek Sotiboldiyev said that customs duties in Uzbekistan are very high.

“In neighboring countries, customs duties and tax burden are low, so many citizens visit there to make purchases. Why should people purchase products more costly in Uzbekistan than in neighboring countries? Choices are very limited here. For example, Uzbekistan has developed the production of men’s and children’s clothing, but women’s apparels lack the appropriate materials and accessories,” he said.

Ulugbek Sotiboldiyev spoke about customs duties in Kyrgyzstan. He noted that at the beginning, their market was open to textile importers, but eventually local entrepreneurs have begun to expand production and now almost all goods are produced in the country itself.

He also said that a “shadow economy” is developing in Uzbekistan in many spheres.