In Uzbekistan, workers are set to benefit from an extended holiday period in March 2026 due to the celebrations of Ramadan Hayit (Eid al-Fitr) and Navruz (Nowruz). Employees with a five-day workweek will enjoy a four-day consecutive break, while those on a six-day workweek will have a three-day break. The month of Ramadan began on February 19, 2026, and Ramadan Hayit is expected to fall on Friday, March 20.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan is commencing a two-day official visit to the Samarkand Region on Wednesday, as announced by the presidential press service. During this visit, the head of state will tour various areas of the region to closely inspect ongoing construction works, as well as projects in industry, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors.
In Jizzakh Region, a traffic police officer, Senior Lieutenant F.M., was detained while receiving $700 in exchange for promising to resolve through the court an administrative case against a driver who operated a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. This incident was uncovered by the Main Directorate of Internal Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) as part of anti-corruption measures, with operational activities conducted jointly by the State Security Service (SSS) and prosecutors.
The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan has announced that citizens working five days a week will receive four consecutive days off in observance of the Ramadan Hayit and Navruz holidays. This adjustment to the work schedule is anticipated during the festive period, although official decrees have not yet been published.
Illegal construction work and tree felling have been stopped on Akkurgan Street in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The incident came to light after residents posted videos on social media complaining about the destruction of green spaces.
The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan registered a regulation on March 16 that establishes an electronic data exchange procedure between notaries and banks for conducting settlements on contracts for the sale and purchase of real estate and vehicles. This regulation comes into force on April 1 and does not apply to sale and purchase contracts formalized based on investment agreements in housing construction.
In Namangan Region, a new system for collecting property and land tax debts from individuals through the electricity billing system has been launched in a pilot mode starting April 16, 2026, for debts exceeding 1 million soums. The Tax Committee announced that this initiative involves an automated information system called "Tax Billing," which is being tested in the region to streamline debt recovery processes.
Starting March 16, a new electronic queue management system for motor vehicles has been launched on a trial basis at the “Yallama” customs post on the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border. According to the State Customs Committee, necessary infrastructure has been created in the area adjacent to the post for the system’s implementation, and currently, an average of 500–600 motor vehicles exit Uzbekistan daily through this post.
According to data released by the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.2% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. This indicator reflects the effectiveness of the government's policies on economic reforms and attracting investments.
Uzbekistan's cotton harvest for 2024 is expected to approach 3.5 million tons, marking one of the highest yields in recent years. According to state statistics, this figure represents an 8% increase compared to the previous year, but experts highlight that this growth is accompanied by deep-seated issues in the agricultural sector, including water scarcity and labor concerns.
Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, completing a 5-1 aggregate win to eliminate Manchester City from the UEFA Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons. The Spanish giants continued their dominance over City, knocking them out for the third consecutive year and showcasing their knack for peak performance in knockout stages, despite inconsistent form in La Liga.
Under the “green belt” project aimed at strengthening Tashkent’s ecological sustainability, the “I Also Plant a Sapling” campaign took place on March 14 in the Bektemir district. The event involved the leadership of the capital’s city administration, representatives of various state organizations, and community activists. Gazeta journalist Mirolim Isajonov prepared a photo report from the campaign, extensively covering the process.