Economist: Special economic zones have become a means of extracting benefits in Uzbekistan

The draft resolution of the President “On measures for the establishment of large special economic zones” was announced.

By March 1, 2023, the decision envisages the establishment of 100 large special economic zones for enterprises in each region with all conditions and infrastructure for business.

The following are defined as the main tasks and areas of activity of large special economic zones:

• attraction of direct foreign and local investments for the organization of modern productions for producing products with high added value that are demanded in foreign markets and replace imports;
  • ensuring comprehensive and effective use of production and resource potentials of the region;
  • deepening the processes of localization of production of high-tech products based on the establishment of strong cooperation relations based on local raw materials and materials and the development of industrial cooperation among the participants of the special economic zone and in the republic as a whole;
  • expanding the production of agricultural products, deepening processing and increasing their export volume based on the effective use of regional production and resource potential;
  • formation of a modern infrastructure for the provision of logistics services, assistance to production entities in the industrial sector in organizing the export of products produced by them;
  • organization of research and production centers in accordance with international standards for standardization, certification and marking of produced products and implementation of measures to ensure that their conclusions are recognized at the international level;
  • based on the current and prospective needs of special economic zones for personnel, to organize training of highly qualified specialists, to participate in their production practice in organizations located in special economic zones.
• free economic zones;
  • special scientific-technological zones;
  • tourist-recreational zones;
  • free trade zones;
  • special industrial zones.

Last month, it became known that the law “On special economic zones” will be developed in a new version.