Uzbekistan negotiating 3–8 year transition periods for sensitive industries in WTO talks

Uzbekistan will reduce tariffs as part of its accession to the World Trade Organization, but several sensitive sectors may receive transition periods of up to eight years, according to the country’s chief negotiator on WTO membership.

Azizbek Urunov, who leads Uzbekistan’s negotiations to join the WTO, said the country has reached preliminary agreements on transition periods ranging from 3 to 8 years for certain industries. He also noted that delays in the accession timeline are partly due to some countries taking longer to review Uzbekistan’s documents.

Uzbekistan has been seeking membership in the World Trade Organization since 1994. Joining the organization is expected to facilitate international trade, promote a more competitive market environment, and bring broader economic benefits.

Urunov said it is common practice for countries seeking WTO membership to negotiate transition periods in order to protect their domestic markets during the initial phase of integration.

“During WTO accession, countries agree on commitments that define the maximum allowable tariff levels. Naturally, each government tries to preserve as much policy flexibility as possible. However, this does not mean that the state will pursue protectionism,” he said.

According to Urunov, Uzbekistan’s tariffs will generally decline, although some sectors will be given time to adapt.

“If you look at large economies such as China and India, their average tariffs after joining the WTO are four to five times higher than ours. Overall, tariffs will be reduced. However, there are sectors that are sensitive for us. For these areas we have negotiated transition periods of 3, 5, 7, or even 8 years for tariff liberalization,” he explained.

He added that sectors potentially considered sensitive include agriculture, light industry, and the automotive industry, although detailed conditions cannot yet be disclosed. In general, access to Uzbekistan’s market will become significantly more liberalized.

Urunov also indicated that national legislation will be reviewed as part of the accession process, particularly in sectors where exclusive rights, benefits, or preferences currently exist.

“Of course, legislation will be revised. In negotiations nothing can really be hidden. If a country tries to conceal something, the accession process simply becomes longer because WTO members already know the conditions in our market,” he said.

As an example, he pointed to the automotive sector, noting that companies from countries exporting vehicles to Uzbekistan are well aware of market access conditions.

“Before entering negotiations, each country thoroughly consults with its businesses and studies the market conditions. Based on that information they then come to the negotiating table,” he said.

The chief negotiator also noted that WTO membership requires strict reporting rules regarding state subsidies.

Member countries must provide annual reports on the subsidies they grant to various sectors. If subsidy levels exceed the commitments agreed upon during accession, the WTO requires governments to adjust them.

“In other words, subsidies can be provided only within the limits of the commitments agreed with the organization,” Urunov explained.

Uzbekistan completed bilateral negotiations with 33 out of 34 countries involved in the accession process in 2025. The remaining negotiations are with Taiwan, and the country had initially hoped to finalize the process and join the WTO by March 2026.

However, Urunov said the timeline may shift due to delays in the review process by some member states.

“It may happen later than March because we have concerns that some countries are delaying the consideration of our documents. I cannot disclose which countries these are, but such cases exist. We are currently negotiating with them and trying to accelerate the process,” he said.

He emphasized that accession ultimately depends on the collective decision of WTO member states.

“This is not a unilateral process. There is another side – the WTO member countries. In the end, we can become a member only based on their decision,” Urunov said.

Uzbekistan will reduce tariffs as part of its accession to the World Trade Organization, but several sensitive sectors may receive transition periods of up to eight years, according to the country’s chief negotiator on WTO membership