Government to slash customs fees for specialized construction equipment not produced in Uzbekistan

Vokhidjon Mirzaev, the head of the Tashkent-based enterprise Lux City Houses, raised concerns regarding the high financial burden of recycling fees and customs duties on machinery that is not manufactured within Uzbekistan. His company, which successfully commissioned 100,000 square meters of property and aims to double its output in 2026, argued that reducing these mandatory payments is essential for the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.

The entrepreneur noted that the cost of equipment directly impacts the final price of apartments. Furthermore, the registration of such machinery through the Shaffof Qurilish (Transparent Construction) system is a prerequisite for companies to earn points and qualify for state-funded projects and high-rise developments.

President Mirziyoyev responded positively to the proposal, emphasizing that the primary goal is to create favorable conditions for increasing construction volumes. He questioned the necessity of high duties on equipment that the local industry cannot yet provide. The president instructed relevant authorities to draft a resolution that would reduce duties on a specific range of machinery and, where necessary, provide full exemptions for high-cost technologies that are currently unavailable in the domestic market.

The Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Economy, Sherzod Khidoyatov, provided historical context for the decision in an interview with the Uzbekistan24 television channel. He recalled that similar benefits introduced in 2017 for a three-year period triggered a massive influx of equipment that spurred industry growth. However, he noted that much of the machinery imported during that period has now become obsolete, necessitating a new wave of modernization.