Electronic bracelets, salary increases for cultural workers, and "freedom" for wild animals – what changes will take effect starting January 1?

Uzbekistan will introduce a national time scale

Starting from January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan will implement a national time scale (UTC UZ), which will serve as the official time for the Republic of Uzbekistan. This is stated in an order from the Cabinet of Ministers titled "On measures for the effective organization of the activities of the Time and Frequency Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan."

According to the document, the National Institute of Metrology of Uzbekistan is responsible for the effective organization of the time service. The Metrology Institute participates in the formation of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and has been designated as the authority for establishing Uzbekistan's national time scale (UTC UZ).

The receipt of precise time from the Time Service and its transmission to interested state bodies and other organizations will be carried out under the terms of a public-private partnership.

New types of tourism will be introduced

On September 18, 2024, the government adopted an order titled "On additional measures for the introduction of new types of tourism and effective utilization of the country's tourist potential."

According to the document, starting from January 1, 2025, the following new types of tourism will be introduced:

• industrial tourism, which involves familiarization with the processes of product manufacturing;
• geological tourism, which includes observing technological processes in the extraction of gold, ore, and other minerals from a safe distance, including mining operations, interaction with specialists, and organizing excursions in mountainous areas;
• scientific tourism, which involves acquaintance with scientific and technical achievements through visits to research institutes, laboratories, observatories, and planetariums, as well as the Academy of Sciences and its affiliated organizations;
• military tourism, which entails visiting sites related to military history and activities, familiarization with monuments, participation in events, understanding the living conditions of military personnel, and organizing paid shooting services for tourists in the regions;
• state-administrative tourism, which includes visits to sites reflecting the political life of the country, the history and activities of state bodies and organizations, particularly government buildings and facilities.

Additionally, starting from January 1, 2025, the Ministry of Defense will introduce domestic and foreign tourists to military equipment and armaments at the "Victory Park" memorial complex, and in the state museums "Shon-Sharaf," "Kurolli Kuchlar," and "Vatanparvar" parks in the regions. Proposals for providing paid services such as "Shooting Range" and firearm shooting at the "Kibray" sports complex of the Ministry's Center for the Development of High Sports Achievements have been approved.

The use of wild animals in circus performances is prohibited

An order from the Cabinet of Ministers prohibits the keeping of wild animals in state and traveling circuses (shapito) and their use in circus performances starting from January 1, 2025.

The document establishes a list of wild animals that individuals are prohibited from keeping in semi-free conditions, in artificial habitats, or in captivity, and the procedure for keeping wild animals included in this list by legal entities.

According to the document, starting from January 1, 2025, the following will be prohibited:

• keeping wild animals from the list by individuals in semi-free conditions, in artificially created habitats, or in captivity;
• keeping wild animals in state and traveling circuses (shapito) and using them for circus performances;
• wild animals included in the list can be kept in zoos and/or nurseries established by legal entities in accordance with permits from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

Wild animals in the possession of private individuals, as well as in state and traveling circuses (shapito), may be transferred to zoos and nurseries for a fee or free of charge based on a contract. If they belong to Uzbekistan's fauna, they will be relocated to a suitable natural habitat, and if they do not belong, they will be removed from Uzbekistan's territory.

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, and local government bodies, has been tasked with ensuring the transfer of listed wild animals kept by private individuals and circuses to zoos or nurseries by January 1, 2026.

Salary increases for employees of state institutions and cultural organizations

On November 22, 2024, an order from the President was issued regarding the salary increase for employees involved in culture and arts, information-library services, and museums.

According to the document, salaries for employees of state institutions and cultural organizations will be increased as follows:

• by 20% starting January 1, 2025;
• by an additional 15% starting July 1, 2025.

The document also includes the implementation of a performance evaluation system (KPI) for employees working in state institutions and cultural organizations.

Business ombudsman will be notified during business inspections

Starting from January 1, 2025, the financial penalty for individuals engaging in entrepreneurial activities as sole proprietors without state registration will be abolished. This is stated in a decree from the President titled "On measures for the reliable protection of the rights and legitimate interests of entrepreneurs."

According to the decree, starting from January 1, 2025:

➖ the financial sanction for engaging in entrepreneurial activities as a sole proprietor without state registration will be abolished;

➖ an electronic "Risk Analysis" system will be introduced.

The risk of committing a crime in the activities of business entities will be categorized into low, medium, and high levels in the electronic system.

Business entities with a low risk level will not be subject to inspections by regulatory authorities.

Administrative responsibility will be canceled starting January 1, 2025, for:

• violations of the procedure for displaying fiscal symbols;
• violations of mandatory digital labeling rules for goods (products) with mandatory digital labeling identification means;
• concealing the number of employees.

The decree introduces a notification procedure for the business ombudsman by registering all inspections conducted in the activities of business entities in the "Unified State Control" information system. In cases where the business entity being investigated is unclear, the business ombudsman will be notified within 24 hours after the inspection begins.

The "Mehr Daftari" funds will be abolished

According to a relevant decree from the President, starting from January 1, 2025, the procedure for the temporary placement of children from low-income families in charitable homes and orphanages will be canceled.

According to the document, starting from January 1, 2025:

• the procedure for the temporary placement of children from low-income families in orphanages and children's homes will be abolished;
• social assistance will be provided to orphans and youth deprived of parental care for education, employment, medical treatment, and housing improvement;
• orphans and children deprived of parental care will also be included in training courses for prospective adoptive parents;
• compact orphanages will be gradually established in the Andijan region, Tashkent city, and Samarkand region;
• the "Mehr Daftari" funds will be liquidated.

Electronic bracelets will be implemented

Electronic bracelets will be used starting from January 1, 2025. This is stated in an order from the Cabinet regarding the approval of the Regulation on the procedure for remote monitoring through electronic