Uzbekistan

The Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan has revoked the license of the private employment agency NPS Personal, which was involved in placing citizens in jobs abroad. This action, taken based on the agency's own application, highlights ongoing efforts by Uzbek authorities to tighten oversight in the labor migration sector, amid concerns over regulatory compliance and citizen protection in international employment markets.

A scientific-practical conference titled "Life Lessons of Amir Temur: A Source of Success and Strength" was held in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. The main topic of discussion was the integration of the historical legacy of Sahibkiran into the state-building processes of New Uzbekistan and the application of his strategies in modern legislation.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan sent a congratulatory message to workers in the housing and communal services sector, who will celebrate their professional holiday on April 18. The head of state expressed sincere gratitude to the multinational teams in the industry for their dedicated labor and summarized the outcomes of a large-scale transformation of the system implemented in recent years.

On April 15, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Justice registered an internal document (registration number 3816) in the state registry, establishing procedures for maintaining a national ranking of secondary specialized and vocational education institutions and providing incentives for them. This move is aimed at enhancing the quality of professional education and fostering competition in the country, with the ranking system designed to assess the effectiveness of educational institutions and the level of student training.

Uzbekistan has officially established the procedure for conducting payments through a unified QR code. The new system will allow customers to pay for goods and services using any banking or payment application, regardless of which app the client prefers.

Uzbekistan's cotton harvest for 2024 has achieved record figures, yet this success fails to mask deep-seated issues within the agricultural sector. According to state statistics, the nationwide cotton yield reached 3.8 million tons, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous year. However, these numbers come against a backdrop of slow agrarian reforms and persistent challenges such as water scarcity.

The National Investment Fund of Uzbekistan (UzNIF) has confirmed plans to launch its first international IPO (initial public offering). The fund is pursuing a dual listing strategy, offering ordinary shares on the Tashkent Stock Exchange and global depositary receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange for institutional investors.

Uzbekistan is expanding its presence in one of the largest markets in South Asia – Pakistan. Following negotiations with Pakistan's phytosanitary service, the Uzbek side has obtained permission to export four in-demand products: apples, lemons, figs, and chili peppers.

Uzbekistan Launches Bonded Warehouse System for E-commerce in Two-Year Experiment

In Uzbekistan, Mastercard cards are commonly used for international travel, online payments, and accessing foreign services. However, not all banks issue these cards, and the terms and costs vary significantly. Research indicates that state-owned, private, and digital banks offer Mastercard cards, with debit cards predominating in their lineups, while issuance conditions, tariffs, and available classes differ based on each bank's policies.

Uzbekistan's Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Kongratbay Sharipov, stated at a press conference on April 15 that 26 higher education institutions in the country are operating on subsidies, and to preserve them, the issue of contract fees needs to be reconsidered. The minister explained that under the previous system, contract amounts increased alongside rises in salaries and pensions, but the president has allegedly not permitted any hike in contract fees for four years, purportedly to create opportunities for students to study more and develop themselves.

In London on April 13, Ipak Yuli Bank signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) under the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP). As a result, the bank obtained the status of a confirming bank, enabling it to guarantee payments for international transactions, providing additional security for businesses dealing with foreign partners.