Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The reforms implemented in recent years in the transport and logistics sector have led to a "positive result." This was reported by Akhadebek Khaydarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, in an interview with the Uzbekiston 24 TV channel.

On 11 January 2025, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on measures for further development of Uzbekistan’s transport and logistics system.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the cost of transportation in this sector has decreased by at least 30%.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has instructed to improve Uzbekistan’s position in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), which is calculated by the World Bank. The goal is to raise the country’s position by at least 30 places in the medium term (in 2023, Uzbekistan ranked 88th).

During the December meeting between the president and entrepreneurs, the issue of VAT on certain transport and forwarding services was raised.

Akhadebek Khaydarov explained that after studying the experiences of other countries, it was proposed to completely exempt these services from VAT. He expressed hope that this proposal would be included in the relevant presidential decree.

The deputy minister also mentioned that the president has instructed to extend the validity period of permits for taxi drivers working as self-employed individuals.

Furthermore, Uzbekistan plans to abolish VAT for certain services in the transport sector. This will be included in the road map to the presidential decree on creating favorable conditions for business, dated December 27, 2024.

The zero VAT rate will apply to transport and forwarding services and other activities related to international cargo transportation within the framework of transport-forwarding agreements. These include: receipt and delivery of goods, loading and unloading services, storage, insurance organization, customs clearance, cargo search, storage in forwarding warehouses, and the provision of railway cars and containers.

Akhadebek Khaydarov and Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov have been tasked with developing the relevant draft law.

The draft law is to be prepared by the end of March this year.