On July 6, 2020, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved Decree No. UP-6019 “On additional measures to further develop the competitive environment and reduce government involvement in the economy” (Hereinafter – “Decree UP-6019”) which provides for the following points:
Firstly, the Anti-Monopoly Committee (hereinafter - the Committee) is accountable to the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and the President in its activities.
Secondly, the Committee regularly submits information directly to the President on the implementation of the tasks set out in Decree UP-6019.
Third, the Decree identifies the Cabinet of Ministers' subdivisions and other state structures with which the Committee cooperates in solving its tasks to create a free and competitive market in the country.
Fourthly, it establishes a procedure in accordance with which from October 1, 2020:
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The main task of the authorized bodies of the state administration in branches and spheres is to improve the competitive environment and its development;
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It is not permitted to establish economic entities with the participation of the state, as well as its affiliates and state institutions authorized to conduct economic activities (except those established for the purposes of defense and national security) in the following cases:
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In areas where five or more private business entities operate in the same commodity market;
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In areas where public bodies themselves have been granted licensing, registration and accreditation powers;
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There are also other conditions aimed at developing a competitive environment.
Fifth, it establishes a procedure for the adoption of draft regulatory legal acts containing points that establish additional barriers to business or hinder the development of a competitive environment. They are adopted only if the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction and the Ministry of Justice reach conclusions, or the Committee itself reaches the conclusion, that the regulation is necessary to create a competitive environment.
Sixth, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction together with the Committee is instructed to develop and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers within one month a Regulation on the assessment of the impact on regulation of draft regulatory acts.
In addition, Decree UP-6019 approved:
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The strategy for the development of competitive environment in the commodity and financial markets in 2020-2024 and the road map for its implementation;
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An action plan for a comprehensive inventory of regulations that have a direct impact on business activities and technical regulation regulations;
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The list of ministries and agencies responsible for the development of programs for the development of competition until 2024, in the regulatory areas assigned to them;
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The list of enterprises with the participation of the state, in which, starting from January 1, 2021, as an experiment, the antimonopoly compliance system is introduced.
More information available at: https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/alerts/2020/july/23/government-involvement-in-the-economy-will-be-limited-in-uzbekistan