Uzbekistan puts $1bn behind export push as rules ease

Uzbekistan will allocate at least $1 billion to a new unified exporter-support system and loosen foreign-currency requirements, as the government tries to help local companies find customers and expand into overseas markets.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Tuesday that Uzbek companies need more support to win customers abroad. During an open discussion with business leaders in the historic town of Khiva, he announced a new «Export Navigator» scheme that would guide businesses through market entry, certification, logistics and other aspects of the marketplace, covering 80% of consulting costs for international tenderers. At least $1 billion will go to export support.

The measures address issues identified in a survey of Uzbek exporters: 40% said they had problems finding foreign customers, 36% with standards and certification, 37% with affordable financing and 33% with marketing and branding shortfalls.

25 countries will host Uzbek export ambassadors. About 60% of the country’s exports come from 20 markets, and five are chosen for growth. Company representatives from those markets will help other companies with retail networks, certification, and marketing.

Read more: Uzbekistan’s trade turnover grows 7.4% YoY in H1 2026

Exporters get more time to bring money home

Exporters selling through trading houses and distributors will have 365 days to bring revenue back to Uzbekistan, double the previous 180. Authorities also plan to eliminate restrictions on the export of unpaid goods and the 50% advance payment requirement on invoices.

Businesses with overdue export receivables will also have a temporary route to regularise them: foreign currency credited to a bank account by the end of the year to cover outstanding debts will be recognised as export revenue.

This package comes at an unusual time for Uzbekistan’s trade performance. In the first half of 2026, headline exports fell 8.8% to $15.9 billion, mostly due to a drop in non-monetary gold exports to $1.5 billion from almost $6.5 billion. Imports rose 21% to $25.1 billion, increasing the trade deficit to $9.3 billion.

Read more: Contingency planning to dominate Uzbekistan’s 2027 economic agenda