Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The most pressing issue today is the shadow economy. This was stated by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirzaev.

The analysis shows that in the service sector, construction and industry, products worth tens of trillions of soums remain in the “shadow”.

As a result, the loss of gross domestic product amounts to 135 trillion soums, and the budget - 30 trillion soums.

For example, 41% of construction companies listed only one worker in their report. However, last year these enterprises completed construction work worth 4 trillion soums.

Or in 5 thousand fruit and vegetable farms with a land area of at least 25 hectares, 1 official employee is registered.

One thing needs to be clearly understood. The shadow economy, first of all, is a big obstacle to the activities of normally functioning entrepreneurs.

“Today, disciplined businessmen often express their legitimate objections to “such fair competition,” the head of state said.

Currently, 14 departments are involved in the fight against the shadow economy and economic crime. There is no unified system of work to coordinate their activities.

It was noted that the fight against the shadow economy will reach a new level.

To this end, the activities of the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General’s Office will be strengthened.

Until now, the department has not been able to function effectively due to the lack of investigative powers and too many legal conflicts in the legislation.

For example, now it takes up to six months to initiate a criminal case against a “cash company.” During this period, the criminals in quotes will have time to complete all their illegal activities.

With this in mind, the Department itself will become an office of in-depth analysis, operational search, verification and investigation. Its head will simultaneously be the Deputy Prosecutor General.

The department will be equipped with the most modern information systems, special tools, dedicated and patriotic specialists with excellent knowledge of economic sectors and foreign languages will be selected.

A scientific, analytical and educational center will be opened on the basis of the Department. The center will identify factors causing the shadow economy, develop proposals based on best foreign experience, and train system employees to identify economic crimes and combat the shadow economy.

At the same time, a separate department for the shadow economy and its regional departments will be created in the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The department must ensure fundamental changes in 5 important areas: construction, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco, illegal imports, cashing and illegal export of capital.