Uzbekistan

1. The Window of Opportunities
for foreign companies in Uzbekistan
Nodir Ayupov, Director
SCHNEIDER GROUP TASHKENT
April 2020

2. 2
447 400 km2
Population – 32,9mln
Youth – 60%
Literacy – 97%
Human resources – the most
valuable asset of Uzbekistan
Larger than 38 EU countries
Third among CIS countries
Universities and institutes - 81
With IT courses - 21
International universities - 7
Total grads each year: 60,000
UZBEKISTAN

3. 3
Key Figures
UZBEKISTAN
GDP 2019: USD 55,00bn:
CURRENCY: "SUM" (UZS)
(UZS/USD = 10’121)
GDP PER CAPITA: USD 1 532
USD 6 930 based on PPP
DOING BUSINESS RANKING:
69th place in 2019 (from 87th in 2016)
URBANIZATION: 51% live in cities and towns and 49%
live in rural areas
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing, 19%
• Industry, 34%
• Services, 47%
External trade turnover, USD 42,20 bn:
• Export USD 17,90 bn
• Import USD 24,30 bn

4. 4
The Development Strategy for 2017–2021
It is envisaged that a separate state program for the
implementation of initiatives in five reform areas will be
approved yearly
The areas where priority is given to
attracting investments
Security, religious
tolerance and
interethnic
harmony, foreign
policy
Development of
social sphere
Development and
liberalization of
economy
Rule of law &
legal reforms
Development of
state governance

5. Trade relationships
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Trade Balance
Export Import
Main Imported
Goods:
• cars and equipment,
• chemical products
• food,
• metal
Main Exported Goods:
• gold,
• gas,
• textile
Source:: stat.uz
Major Import Trading
Partner:
• China18-19%,
• Russia17-18%,
• South Korea 8-10%.
Major export trading
partners:
• China12%,
• Russia 8-10%%,
• Kazakhstan 10%.

6. Taxation system of Uzbekistan
1
bln
Pay a Single Tax
Payment, Property tax
and Payroll taxes. VAT
regime is voluntary.
There are two taxpayer categories:
Income tax, taxes on water,
land, property, VAT, General
Tax Regime, and taxes related
to wages.

7. 2019
2016
Investment Climate Change
Lack of investor
confidence and interest
Lack of conversion
Restriction of freedom
of speech
Inconsistent foreign
policy
• Access to cash withdrawals from the bank card and accounts
• Obtaining a sovereign rating for the country “BB-” stable
• “Launch” of customs and tax reforms
• Moratorium on tax audits until January 2021 (revised due to COVID19)
• Entrance of world brands to the market of Uzbekistan
• Currency liberalization
• The ability to repatriate dividends and profits
• Ability to pay for foreign trade contracts
• The ability to purchase foreign currency by individuals
• Softening of Mass Media Censorship
• Organization of various platforms for discussing investor problems
• Creation of a virtual offices of President and the Prime Minister for citizens
• Foreign Policy was "Reset"
• Introduction of a visa-free regime and simplified visa procedures
• Introduction of a “green corridor” customs regime for individuals
Before 2016
2016 - 2020 year

8. 8
Key Industries in Uzbekistan
Sources: National Statistical Agencies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
*Currency rate was devaluated on 05/09/2017 as part of liberalization of currency exchange program. This resulted in a harsh increase of the exchange rate of
soum to US dollar (2.5 times).
Agriculture
Largest producers of fresh fruit and vegetables in the world.
Active state agriculture policy, aimed at efficiency and sustainability
Competitiveness: low cost of production, qualified, skilled labor, land resources
Annual growth of 6-7%, the size of the sector is estimated to exceed USD 5 bn
Development Strategy until 2021

9. 9
Cotton yarn, garment & hosiery and fabrics
Exports reached USD 1,6 bn in 2019
Competitiveness: skilled labor, vast amount of raw materials, low-cost energy
resources, the access to markets.
Textile Industry
e.g. Access to EU market – through Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CPA):
- Reduction of import duties and customs payments of domestic enterprises from 12% to 6%
- It increases production and export supplies to the EU countries
- Next goal: reduction of the rates of customs payments to 0%.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Germany
(https://www.uzbekistan.de/en/nachrichten/nachrichten/uzbekistan%E2%80%99s-agriculture-progress-and-achievements)
O’ZBEKYENGILSANOAT (https://www.icac.org/getattachment/mtgs/Plenary/76th/Agenda-(Reports-Minutes)/3OS3_Rakhimov.pdf)
Key Industries in Uzbekistan
54%
28%
18%
Export
Cotton Yarn Garment & Hosiery Fabrics

10. 10
Automotive Industry
Source: Russian Automotive Market Research
(http://www.napinfo.ru/infographics/mirovoy-rynok/dinamika-proizvodstva-legkovykh-avtomobiley-v-ryade-stran-sng-i-kvartal-2016-2018-gg-tys-yed)
(http://www.napinfo.ru/infographics/mirovoy-rynok/raspolozheniye-proizvodstvennykh-moshchnostey-v-uzbekistane)
Source quote: Reuters
(https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gm-uzbekistan/in-uzbekistan-a-chevy-on-every-corner-idUSBRE8841D720120905)
Second largest in the CIS market.
Output of 270 000 units in 2019
Government Incentives for investment:
• reduced taxable profits
• privileges on payment of VAT and customs duties
• benefits to pay tax on property of legal entities.
Major production areas:
• Tashkent
• Samarkand
• Khorezm
• Fergana Valley.
Key Industries in Uzbekistan

11. Foreign Investors in Uzbekistan
11
Emphasis on creating favorable conditions for FDI
57%
13%
10%
9%
3%
2%
2%
4%
Distribution of FDI by sectors
Mining industry (oil
and gaz)
Manufacturing
industry
Information and
communication
Transportation
and storage
Health
Electricity and gaz
supply
Water use and
sewage
Sources: State Committee for Foreign Investment, Decree of the President of Uzbekistan №UP-4947 as of
7th of February 2018, List of foreign companies in Uzbekistan, Draft of Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Foreign Investments
- Number of investors more than 7000
- FDI in 2019: USD 4,2 bn
(in 2018 it was USD 2.8 bn)
- Key investing countries :
USA, Turkey, South Korea,
Germany, Russia, Japan.

12. Attractive areas for investment
12
- Commercial banks:
- Monopoly in online and mobile banking engine development
- Insurance companies:
- Voluntary Medical Insurance
- Voluntary Car Accident Insurance (very attractive)
- Energy sectors
- Solar and Wind Energy
- Oil and gas industry
- High demand for high octane gasoline
- Chemical industry
- Rich for fertilizer resources and high demand in agriculture
- Pharmaceutical industry
- 23% is localized; planned to bring it to 80%
- Textile industry
- High quality textile goods contract manufacturing

13. Major Foreign Investors
Main Industries
13
Aerospace
Automotive
Electronics & Engineering
Food & Beverage
Hospitality
Engineering &
Construction
Insurance
Machinery
Mining & Extraction
Mobile &
Telecommunication
Services
Network &
Telecommunication
Equipment
Petrochemical
Pharmaceutical
Tobacco
Transportation

14. Industries of particular relevance
for Foreign Investors
14
Sources: State Committee for Foreign Investment, Decree of the President of Uzbekistan №UP-4947 as of
7th of February 2018, List of foreign companies in Uzbekistan, Draft of Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Chemical Industry
USD 173,0 mln
Private Clinics
USD 14,0 mln
Apparel T-shirts
USD 10,3 mln
Tourism
USD 7,0 mln /city
Data Centers
USD 407,0 mln
Mobile Apps
USD 500,0 thou

15. 15
Sources: State Committee for Foreign Investment, Decree of the President of Uzbekistan №UP-4947 as of
7th of February 2018, List of foreign companies in Uzbekistan, Draft of Tax Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Industries of particular relevance
for Foreign Investors
Fridge Warehouses
USD 4,0 mln / w.h.
Raisin production
USD 11,0 mln
Jeans, textile
USD 64,0 mln
H.H. Chemical
USD 11,5 mln
Personal Care
USD 7,0 mln
Wine Production
USD 9,0 mln

16. Free Economic Zones (FEZ)
of Uzbekistan
16
Icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
Map template By NordNordWest [CC BY-SA 3.0 de (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en) or CC BY-SA 3.0 de
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], from Wikimedia Commons
(//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uzbekistan_location_map.svg)
Hazarasp
Gijduvan
Navoi Jizzakh Angren
Kokand
Urgut
Sources: Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Deli (http://www.uzbekembassy.in/free-economic-zones-in-uzbekistan/)

17. $900-$1400/hectare
5%
7,5%
5%
1,4%
The FEZ participant is exempt from payment:
Privileges and preferences in FEZ

18. 0.3-3
mln.
US $
3 - 5
mln.
US $
more
than 10
mln.
US $
3 5
10
7
5 - 10
mln.
US $
Conditions for granting privileges
and preferences

19. SCHNEIDER GROUP
Services in Uzbekistan
19
Market Entry
Services
Market Analysis
Distributor search
Recruiting services
Outstaffing
Office in office
solutions
Fully equipped
working desks with
full office
infrastructure
Import handling
ERP-systems &
Accounting
automation
Interim
Management
Localization of
production
Upgrade 1C
accounting to a full
ERP-System
SAP-implementation
Transparency in
Accounting
Automation of
Accounting
Controlling of
Accounting
We take over the
function of the
General Director
and make sure all
administrative
obligations are
met.
CFO-Function
Controlling-
Function
Compare industrial
zones
Cooperation with
state authorities
Search
construction and
project
management firms

20. Nodir Ayupov
Director of Tashkent Office
AyupovN@schneider-group.com

21. www.schneider-group.com
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