Government to abolish permit requirements and fees for storefront business signs

According to the Competition Committee, the current lack of clear definitions in legislation has led to various disputes and administrative burdens for entrepreneurs. The new regulation provides precise definitions for terms such as "external information media," "external signage," "information indicators," and "storefront signs." Under the proposed framework, these tools are recognized as non-commercial media intended to provide information about an organization’s name or specialization, such as "Pharmacy," "Barbershop," "Supermarket," or "Gas Station", without aiming for a direct promotional impact.

Crucially, the draft stipulates that signs located on the exterior of a building occupied by a business, or information about products displayed in a building's windows, will no longer be considered advertising. This change effectively abolishes the requirement for entrepreneurs to obtain an "advertising space passport" or make associated payments for their primary business signage.

This policy shift follows a period of significant friction in Tashkent, where a campaign to remove business signs sparked widespread protests among the entrepreneurial community. During a meeting with the president on May 5, the issue was prioritized, leading to the decision to eliminate the practice of treating informational signage as paid advertising.

The draft regulation was initially posted for public discussion on April 25 and will remain open for feedback until May 10. The Competition Committee has urged business owners and stakeholders to participate actively in the discussion to ensure the final document effectively addresses the needs of the private sector.