Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 20 August 2025, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree aimed at systematically addressing the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and implementing proposals voiced during the Fifth Open Dialogue with Business.

The document is designed to ensure the execution of priority tasks identified during the dialogue and to create new incentives for entrepreneurial development in the country.

Financial Support for Entrepreneurs

Under the decree, 270 trillion soums have been allocated for 2026–2027 to support entrepreneurial activity, including the development of infrastructure in free economic zones and small industrial zones, as well as major projects involving foreign direct investment.

Special attention is given to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Commercial banks will provide 250 trillion soums in financing, including 30 trillion soums within special programs. The Entrepreneurship Development Company JSC will provide financial support for at least 5,000 business projects worth a total of 4 trillion soums.

Starting from 1 May 2026, an alternative scoring system will be introduced to assess the creditworthiness of entrepreneurs when issuing loans, based on data from government bodies and the private sector.

Stimulating Foreign Economic Activity and Tourism

The decree establishes a moratorium on penalties for overdue receivables for business entities without state participation until 1 January 2027.

To develop the tourism industry, a new program will be launched in 2026, allocating at least 5,000 hectares of land for tourist infrastructure facilities through electronic auctions. Commercial banks will provide loans for hotel construction for up to seven years: up to 30 billion soums in regional centers, Tashkent, and Nukus, and up to 10 billion soums in other regions. In addition, a US$1 million prize will be awarded to the most successful hotels recognized internationally.

The Entrepreneurship Development Company JSC will guarantee part of the loans and cover interest expenses, while the government will allocate budgetary funds to subsidize interest costs. Furthermore, the system of subsidizing expenses for the construction and equipment of new hotels will also apply to the expansion of existing facilities.

Tax Incentives and Simplification of Reporting

Beginning from 1 January 2026, entrepreneurs who become VAT payers for the first time will be exempt from paying profit tax for one year. Additional measures will be introduced to reduce fines and the cost of accounting services.

The tax reporting system will become more proactive: reports on property and land tax, as well as personal income tax and social contributions, will be prepared by tax authorities, relieving entrepreneurs of these obligations. Mobile video cameras will become mandatory during field inspections, and any inspection conducted without them will be deemed illegal.

Monitoring the Implementation of the Decree

Implementation of the decree will be systematically monitored: the Ministry of Justice will provide weekly operational updates and submit detailed monthly reports to the Accounts Chamber and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Direct oversight of the decree’s implementation has been assigned to Deputy Prime Ministers J.A. Kuchkarov and J.A. Khodjayev, while overall coordination and control of government agencies will be exercised by Prime Minister A.N. Aripov.