Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At a regular meeting of the press club of the UzLiDeP party, issues of reducing the shadow economy and preventing illicit trafficking in medicines, alcohol and tobacco products were discussed

The press club was attended by deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and local Kengashes, representatives of ministries and departments, businessmen.

Important factors in achieving the goals set as part of the development strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 are a sharp reduction in the shadow economy, the prevention of illegal circulation of goods, the protection of consumer rights, and the creation of a transparent economic and competitive environment.

The share of value added tax and excises in the structure of state budget revenues is high and amounts to almost 40%. Timely and full payment of these tax revenues is the basis for the implementation of the main socio-economic functions of the state. However, there are those entrepreneurs who are engaged in concealment and illegal activities in various sectors of the economy.

The pharmaceutical, alcohol and tobacco industries suffer the most from illegal circulation and contraband products in our country. Given the high share of tax revenues in these areas, a sharp reduction in the shadow economy in these sectors will have a great impact on the provision of revenues to the state budget. Thus, according to the data, in 2022, budget losses from the sale of illegal tobacco products may amount to 500 billion soums. In addition, illegal activity in the industry generates a competitive environment and violation of consumer rights.

Anarkulov Akmal, representative of the State Tax Committee, said:

- According to the results of the audit conducted by the field tax inspectorate in 2022, tobacco products without excise stamps in the amount of 65 billion soums were identified and legal measures were taken. We have developed a mobile application "Solik Hamkor". If counterfeit or contraband products are found, an appeal will be drawn up, the situation will be checked on the spot, if the appeal is justified, an on-site tax audit will be carried out and legal measures will be taken.

Komil Abdurahimov

Komil Abdurahimov, Head of Department, Agency for Regulation of the Alcohol and Tobacco Market and Development of Winemaking of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said:

- When we conducted the study, Milano cigarettes produced in Arab countries were available in all regions and districts of Uzbekistan. Their prices are much lower than those of manufacturing enterprises, this is their attractiveness and it is precisely because of this that most consumers prefer it. However, there is one point: when we checked the information on the packaging of these cigarettes in our laboratories, we found that the amount of nicotine was several times higher than the permissible norm. We have a regulation in accordance with the 74th resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers and each manufacturer must work in strict accordance with this regulation, that is, the amount of nicotine and other necessary substances in these products must be under strict control. Violations of the norms were found not only in Milano cigarettes, but also in ESSE.

The experts’ words are also confirmed by the study of international companies. According to the data, Milano and ESSE make up the main flow of smuggled cigarettes that enter the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the UAE and Korea and are sold illegally.

Seven months have passed since Uzbekistan banned the sale of non-labeled products. Finally, the destruction of tobacco products smuggled into Uzbekistan began. Demonstration events have so far been held in Tashkent, as well as in Fergana, where, according to data, today every fifth pack of cigarettes is smuggled.

Dilrabo Kuryazova

Dilrabo Kuryazova, Chief Inspector of the Directorate of the General Prosecutor’s Office, said:

- The Department for Combating Economic Crimes also takes prompt measures to curb the illegal production and sale of pharmaceutical, tobacco and alcohol products.

In total, over the past period of the current year, 53 cases of violations of the law in terms of preventing illegal circulation of tobacco products without a quality guarantee or without an excise stamp were detected, as a result of which 19 crimes and 34 administrative offenses were uncovered. The sale of alcohol and tobacco is most common in the Fergana region.

At the end of the event, together with the deputies of UzLiDeP, representatives of ministries and departments, an agreement was reached on a radical reduction in the shadow economy, prevention of illegal circulation of goods, establishment of public control, especially in the field of combating smuggling of pharmaceuticals, tobacco and alcohol products.