Government approves E-bozor platform to digitize markets

The measures are set out in a government resolution adopted on July 2 and published on the legal information portal Lex.uz.

The E-bozor platform will be developed by the Tax Committee in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, and regional and Tashkent city administrations. Built on the Soliq information system, the platform is scheduled to enter pilot operation by October 1, with full nationwide implementation planned by March 1, 2027.

The system will contain digital profiles of markets and shopping complexes, including information on available retail spaces. It will also allow citizens to submit inquiries and complaints to market administrations and receive responses electronically.

The Tax Committee will operate the platform and assign its employees to every market and shopping complex to monitor the accuracy of information uploaded to the system, including data on fees and other payments collected by market operators.

By the pilot launch on October 1, the platform is expected to include information on each market's specialization, operating hours, number and location of retail outlets, and available services. The Tax Committee will also work with market administrations to improve their existing digital systems.

Within three months, the government plans to introduce unified QR codes for parking payments at markets, shopping complexes, and adjacent parking areas.

Electronic barriers and other parking access control systems will be integrated with the tax authorities' information system. Parking operators that fail to comply with the new requirements may face administrative fines.

The resolution also requires a nationwide census of all retail outlets operating in markets and shopping complexes within two months. Every vendor will be registered as a tax entity, while all entrepreneurs operating in these locations are to be equipped with online cash registers and/or printed QR codes for accepting payments.

By December 1, E-bozor is expected to be integrated with the information systems used by individual markets and shopping complexes. Through the Electronic Government integration platform, it will also be connected to the databases of the Ministry of Justice, the Cadastral Agency, and other government bodies.

The government has identified 280 markets and shopping complexes across Uzbekistan for digitalization. They are expected to complete the transition and integrate with the E-bozor platform by September 1.

The resolution also outlines broader priorities for modernizing market infrastructure. These include introducing transparent electronic systems for collecting rent and other payments, digitalizing the leasing of retail spaces, expanding and automating parking and public restroom services, addressing unauthorized construction within market premises, improving utility services, installing rooftop solar panels and dedicated electricity meters for shops, and equipping markets with video surveillance systems, fire alarms, ATMs, and energy-efficient technologies.