Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law on December 5 that simplifies the management of special economic zones. This was reported by the Ministry of Justice's legal information channel.
The document passed the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis in July-August and received Senate approval in September. Amendments to the law "On Special Economic Zones" abolish administrative councils.
Their responsibilities will now be directly assigned to the management of the SEZs. These include:
- coordinating the activities of executive authorities regarding the operation of SEZs, ensuring compliance with the special legal regime, and assisting its participants;
- selecting investment projects for implementation in the SEZ territory and approving investment applications;
- providing land plots to SEZ participants for the implementation of investment projects;
- organizing the construction of engineering, communication, and transportation infrastructure.
Additionally, the requirement for an expert review of the business plan or feasibility study for the project is canceled. The SEZ management will be able to independently decide on the compliance of the investment project with the requirements.
The timeframes for making decisions regarding the placement of investment projects in the SEZ will be shortened. As noted by deputies during the consideration of the amendments, their adoption will accelerate the implementation of investment projects and simplify attracting investments.
The Strategic Reforms Agency presented a set of recommendations in June for a new edition of the law on SEZs. It is proposed to expand the list of available types of activities and allow private and foreign companies to act as operators of the zones.
Earlier, Spot reported that as part of the development of the Fergana region, it is planned to place investment projects worth $1 billion in the SEZ "Kokand".