Uzbekistan plans to create a “Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” As part of this initiative, a market-based quality control system will be introduced, and $200 million will be raised to increase labor productivity.
On December 26, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented a new approach to investment policy in his address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan. It was noted that from now on, the main priority will be given to the transfer of high technologies.
Free economic zones and investments
Uzbekistan will expand the attraction of world-renowned brands to free economic zones (FEZs). FEZ residents will:
be able to use international technical regulations,
environmental and labor standards,
and have the opportunity to resolve disputes through arbitration within the framework of international law.
A special preferential regime will be introduced for FEZs in the investment, tax, customs and legal spheres. According to expectations, these steps will allow attracting $180 billion in foreign investment and creating 1 million new jobs by 2030.
New investment mechanism
A new system will be created that will work with investments promptly and ensure the transformation of agreements into real projects. The President emphasized the expediency of applying this approach to local industry and cooperation.
In this context, the activities of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, will be reviewed.
Economic growth and productivity
In 2026, Uzbekistan's GDP is targeted to reach $167 billion and economic growth to 6.6%. It is planned to further increase these indicators by focusing on labor productivity, cost and energy efficiency.
A program to double productivity and efficiency in industry will be launched. For this purpose, $200 million in financial resources will be attracted from foreign organizations.
Highly qualified foreign engineers and technologists will be attracted to local enterprises, business processes will be digitized, and audits will be conducted to reduce energy costs.
“Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution”
Within the framework of the newly created center, a regulatory mechanism will be formed with the ability to test:
robotics,
“Internet of Things” (IoT),
“smart factory” systems.
Over the past two years, Uzbekistan has risen to 52nd place among 185 countries in the “Global Infrastructure Quality” index. In order to further increase its competitiveness, it is planned to transition from state control in the field of technical regulation to market control.
Incentives and tax breaks
Companies producing high-tech innovative products will receive a subsidy of 5% of production growth.
The income of specialists working in the field of scientific research and design work (R&D) will be exempt from tax.
Over the next 5 years, it is aimed to increase labor productivity in the industry from $16,500 to $30,000, and reduce energy consumption by 1.5 times for $1,000 of added value.
