President instructs to increase exports by 30%

Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the main tasks in the areas of investment, export and international cooperation, the presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov reported.

The head of state noted the importance of exports for the development of the economy of Uzbekistan. However, last year, shipments of products abroad decreased in four regions and in two industries designated as “drivers.”

“To bring our economy to a new stage of development, we need to increase exports by at least 30% annually,” the President noted.

Disciplinary sanctions will be applied to the deputy governors of Andijan, Bukhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya regions for investments, as well as to the heads of 10 cities and districts. Mirziyoyev also noted the inadequacy of the export plan prepared by officials.

It was noted that half of Uzbekistan’s exports go to four countries – Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Turkey. Twenty of the products that make up the bulk of foreign shipments are linked to a single market.

A third of exports are made up of raw materials, the prices of which fluctuate depending on conditions on world markets. At the same time, opportunities to expand connections with alternative markets are not used.

For example, under the GSP+ scheme, Uzbekistan can supply 6,200 types of goods to the European Union duty-free, but only 384 types are actually imported. The goal is to increase the number of product categories exported to the EU to 700, and the volume of supplies to $1.2 billion.

Export diversification is hampered, among other things, by problems with international product certification. In “driver” industries, less than 35% of enterprises have implemented world standards.

The head of state instructed to implement 1,700 international standards and 19 regulations by the end of the year, as well as transfer 1,200 enterprises to international quality standards. The task has been set to agree on mutual recognition of certificates with 10 European countries.

The Technical Regulation Agency will be transferred directly to the Cabinet of Ministers. Minister of Justice Akbar Toshkulov was instructed to bring the legal framework in the field to the proper level within two months under the threat of removal from office.