Uzbekistan cuts agricultural subsidies to $900 mln for WTO
Uzbekistan will gradually reduce its state agricultural subsidies over the next decade to comply with World Trade Organization regulations.
The Central Asian nation plans to cap these financial aids at $900 mln at the end of a 10-year transition period. Alisher Zakhidov, head of the Department for Financial Support of Agrarian Reforms, announced the target as part of the country’s ongoing accession process.
Zakhidov noted the government has submitted an updated proposal under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. The document outlines a phased reduction of «Amber Box» support measures, which the international trade body classifies as trade-distorting.
Current subsidies
Tashkent currently allocates slightly more than $1 bn annually to these restricted subsidies. Trimming this figure to the $900 mln threshold fulfils a key commitment to standardise state agricultural backing in accordance with global trade rules.
Uzbek officials recently presented the revised subsidy plan to the Cairns Group, a coalition of major agricultural exporting nations advocating for market liberalisation. Zakhidov said the group responded positively to the initiative.
The broader negotiations for Uzbekistan’s WTO membership are nearing completion. The government recently finalised mutual market access talks with India and signed a bilateral protocol, clearing another mandatory hurdle for its formal accession.
