The event was aimed at discussing legal aspects of modern competition policy and draft law “On competition”, which was developed in line with order of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Representatives of the State Demonopolization Committee, Center on improvement of antimonopoly policy, representatives of small and medium businesses, and mass media participated at the roundtable.

Presidential decree of Uzbekistan “On measures on further improvement of system of antimonopoly regulation and development of competition” envisages measures on further improving legal area for developing competition environment, preventing unfair competition in markets, first of all in internal consumer markets.

Effective state competition policy decreased monopoly level at goods and service markets. For last ten years, number of monopoly enterprises decreased by 75.2%. Only 2004-2009, share of monopoly products in GDP of Uzbekistan fell from 26% to 20.8%, which serves as evidence for decreasing enterprises, holding dominant position at trade markets.

Acting law of Uzbekistan “On competition and limiting monopoly activity at trade markets” was adopted in 1996 and several norms are not correspond current level of economic development of the country. The law does not cover issues on controlling competition in financial services market, which does not allow to prevent anti-competitive actions in this sector.

The draft law clarifies general definitions, introduces new concepts and changes. The law also clarifies term “dominating position”.

The draft law also introduces chapter, which regulates mergers, acquisitions, purchase of property rights, etc.

The roundtable noted that adoption of the law will consolidate norms, regulating relations in competition sector. This will raise transparency and effective regulation of the relations in this area. It will also eliminate gaps and shortages in the legislation.

During the roundtable, the participants adopted corresponding recommendations.