Uzbekistan

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan reviewed proposals on March 11 to improve the project expertise system, as reported by the head of state’s press service. According to the information, by 2026, the country plans to attract over $50 billion in investments into the economy, allocate 24 trillion soums in budget funds for the construction of social and infrastructure facilities, and implement state procurements worth more than 300 trillion soums. Under such ambitious plans, the efficient and timely operation of the expertise system is deemed crucial.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed a law on March 11th that strengthens penalties for unauthorized connections to electricity, gas, heating, and water supply networks. The amendments were introduced to the Administrative Responsibility Code and the Criminal Code, imposing significant fines and other measures for illegal hookups and violations of utility usage rules.

Uzbekistan and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of ecology. The document outlines joint actions to combat climate change, reduce air and water pollution, and improve waste management systems.

Uzbekistan's accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO) may face further delays as some member countries are slowing down the review of Tashkent's documents. This was announced on February 17 by the president's representative on WTO issues, chief negotiator Azizbek Urunov, in a conversation with journalists. According to him, the membership deadline could extend beyond March, as certain states are currently prolonging the document verification process.

In the Vobkent district of Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan, law enforcement agencies have uncovered illegal cryptocurrency trading operations as part of the "Safe and Healthy Country" campaign. A local resident allegedly conducted shadow trading via the international crypto exchange Binance for one and a half years, bypassing existing legislation and operating without a license.

The government of Uzbekistan has announced a tender for the construction of a new international airport in Bukhara under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The new airport complex is planned to be built in the Kumsulton area of Bukhara District and is expected to become a key transport hub serving both domestic and international flights.

▪️ Uzbekistan has significantly strengthened penalties for the illegal use of electricity, heating, gas, and other utility networks. These amendments were introduced into the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility through a law adopted on March 11, as reported by the Telegram channel "Huquqiy axborot." Under the new rules, fines for unauthorized connection to public electricity, heating, or gas networks or violation of usage rules have been increased for citizens from 15 times to 20 times the base calculation amount (BCA), and for officials from 25 times to 30 times the BCA. Under the previous system, these amounts were 10–15 BCA for citizens and 20–25 BCA for officials.

A large-scale project to open 11 new state-run animal shelters has commenced in the Tashkent region and several other districts of Uzbekistan. This initiative is the result of long-term collaboration between government structures and the non-governmental organization "Hayot".

Sirojiddin Odilov, the author of the YouTube channel "Sirojiddin Media," is suspected of fraud and bribery. According to the press service of the Samarkand Regional Department of Internal Affairs, a criminal case has been initiated against him, and he has been placed under arrest as a preventive measure.

The application season is now beginning: foreign universities are opening admissions, deadlines for fall intake are approaching, and the IELTS certificate remains a key requirement. For admission, a score of IELTS 6.5–7.0 is typically required, with 6.5 being the minimum threshold for most programs and 7.0 or higher considered competitive, especially for top UK universities that demand 7.5 and above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each section.

Uzbekistan plans to establish a National Medical Center for Mental Health and 14 regional branches starting from January 1, 2027, based on the Tashkent branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Mental Health. These measures are outlined in a draft presidential decree "On Measures to Transform the System of Providing Narcological and Psychiatric Care to the Population."

Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) may face further delays, according to chief negotiator Azizbek Urunov. He stated that some countries are prolonging the review of Uzbekistan's documents, which could shift the planned completion date of March 2026. Urunov also highlighted that agreements have been reached on transition periods of 3 to 8 years for sensitive sectors, emphasizing the need to protect domestic markets while avoiding protectionism.