News

From January to June 2025, developers in Tashkent announced 17 new residential projects across comfort, business, and premium segments, totalling 932,000 square meters of floor space, according to the Commonwealth Partnership (CMWP).

This figure represents an 8% increase in total project area compared to the same period last year, although the number of projects remained relatively unchanged.

CMWP analysts note that the capital’s real estate market has entered a recovery phase. This trend is most evident in the significant growth of project volume in the business (+217%) and comfort (+52%) classes. Analysts expect a rebound in demand for higher-end...

On August 6, the official White House website published an executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump imposing an additional 25% tariff on all imports from India.

The order states that all goods imported into the United States from India will now be subject to this extra duty.

The decision comes in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, whether directly or through intermediaries.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan’s Tax Committee reported that cafés, restaurants, hotels, tour operators and livestock farms had received a total of 33 bn sums ($2.6 mln) in VAT refunds through targeted government support schemes.

The Uzbekistan Boxing Federation has responded to social media reports alleging that boxer Lazizbek Mullajonov tested positive for doping and may be stripped of his Olympic gold medal from the Paris Games.

In an official statement, the federation dismissed the rumors as unfounded, emphasizing that Mullajonov has consistently complied with anti-doping regulations. According to the statement, all of his previous tests had been clean.

However, in June, Mullajonov underwent routine testing, and the International Testing Agency (ITA) reportedly detected prohibited substances in his sample.

The federation explained that following the Olympics, Mullajonov had undergone a hair transplant procedure...

In 2025, Kashkadarya region is set to implement 50 new projects aimed at localising production, with a total investment of 1.03 trillion soums, according to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR).

These projects are expected to reduce imports by $80 mln and create 385 new jobs.

Among the major initiatives is the launch of metal equipment and product manufacturing in the Kasbi district. The project is being implemented by Rapid Rais Texnoprom. Total investment: $25 mln. Planned production capacity: 3,200 tons per year. Projected exports: $4 mln.

Another project involves the production of polyethylene in Karshi. This will...

Muzaffar Rakhimjanov, Deputy Head of the Department at the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, explained why the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project on Lake Charvak is important for regional development.

The project had previously generated broad public concern. People expressed fears that it could harm the environment, restrict public access to the lake, or become a financial burden on the state budget.

According to Rakhimjanov, Charvak is one of Uzbekistan’s major tourist destinations. For this reason, the government sought a large and reliable investor capable of implementing a comprehensive project — including parks, schools, hospitals, sewage systems...

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved a new regulation governing the formation and implementation of so-called “driver projects”, regional initiatives aimed at boosting industrial, service and agricultural development through local resource utilization.

According to the government decree, regional and city hokimiyats (administrations) will now be responsible for preparing these driver projects annually by November 1. Once developed, the projects are submitted to local authorities and then forwarded to the Ministry of Economy and Finance for evaluation within 10 working days.

A follow-up on-site review of the proposed initiatives must be completed within the next 15 working days...

A section of Nemat Street in Tashkent’s Mirzo-Ulugbek district will be temporarily closed to traffic, the city administration has announced.

The closure will begin at 7:00 on August 7 and last until 7:00 on August 8. The affected stretch runs from Boiler House No. 1 to Shakhriabad Street and is being shut down due to drainage pipe replacement works.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead and use alternative routes during this period.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Association of Young Architects of Uzbekistan, has announced the launch of the National Green...

UzAuto Motors’ net profit dropped by 27.5% in the first six months of 2025, reaching 1.4 trln UZS ($111.7 mln), according to the company’s published financial report.

Despite this, revenue rose by 9.5%, totalling 21.2 trln UZS ($1.7 bn). The company also saw a 23.5% increase in retained earnings, which reached 11.2 trln UZS ($894.2 mln) by the end of June.

Interest income and gains from foreign exchange differences also showed growth during the period. Meanwhile, administrative expenses fell by 4.6%, amounting to 755.6 bn UZS ($60.3 mln).

Over the six-month period, UzAuto Motors paid 309.7 bn UZS...

A dangerous new class of synthetic opioids, nitazenes,is spreading rapidly across the globe. Developed initially as painkillers in the 1950s, nitazenes were never approved for medical use due to their extreme potency. Today, they’re being used as illicit narcotics, often mixed into other substances without users’ knowledge, leading to a wave of overdoses and deaths, as reported by Meduza.

Nitazenes: The New Drug Deadlier Than Heroin or Fentanyl

Nitazenes were first synthesised by Swiss pharmaceutical company Ciba (now Novartis) in the 1950s. Although intended as pain relievers, their medical use was halted early on due to their extreme...

Uzbekistan’s Competition Committee has taken action against YandexGo UB LLC following a complaint from Uzum Market LLC, accusing YandexGo of unfair competition through a misleading advertisement for Yandex Market.

The committee launched an investigation after Uzum Market reported that the Yandex Market commercial, aired on television and social media, appeared to copy elements from Uzum’s previous videos. The case was reviewed by the Special Commission of the Competition Committee.

According to the findings:

A plane carrying Jennifer Lopez’s full tour team landed at Tashkent International Airport, according to the Telegram channel Tashkent Sky News.

The flight reportedly carried up to 90 people, including musicians, dancers, security staff and logistics personnel, all part of the support crew for the American pop icon’s upcoming concert.

Lopez is scheduled to perform on Thursday, August 7, at Milliy Stadium (formerly Bunyodkor Stadium) in the Uzbek capital. Around 25,000 tickets are being made available for the event, and as of mid-July, 40% of them had already been sold to international visitors.

The Art and Culture Development Foundation

By August 5, 2025, Uzbekistan’s Tax Committee reported that cafés, restaurants, hotels, tour operators and livestock farms had received a total of 33 bn sums ($2.6 mln) in VAT refunds through targeted government support schemes.

A VAT cashback programme for cafés and restaurants has been in effect since January 1, 2025. So far this year, it has benefited over 500 establishments, allowing them to recover 24.6 bn sums ($1.96 mln) in VAT.

A similar programme for hotels and tour operators was launched earlier, on October 10, 2024. Since then, 33 tour companies have received 1.3 bn sums ($103,793) in...

For the first time, Uzbekistan’s Centre for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has applied NASA night-time light (NTL) satellite data to assess economic activity at both regional and city levels. The analysis, powered by AI-based modelling, marks a significant step in modernising how economic trends are tracked across the country.

This approach, widely used in international research, offers an independent and timely way to monitor living standards and measure local development, especially in places where traditional data collection is limited or delayed.

The findings show a strong alignment between satellite data and official statistics. From 2020 to 2024, GDP...

A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Uzatom Agency visited Belarus on August 5–6, to learn from the country’s successful experience in constructing and operating its first nuclear power plant (NPP). The visit was carried out on the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as part of preparations for Uzbekistan’s own NPP project.

On August 5, the delegation met with Belarusian Minister of Energy Denis Moroz to discuss key areas of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. Talks focused on integrating large-scale NPPs into national power systems, sharing experience on nuclear security infrastructure, spent fuel and radioactive waste management, and public engagement during...

July, typically the hottest month of summer, once again lived up to its reputation in Uzbekistan. This year, average temperatures across the country were 1–3°C above the long-term climate norm.

In most regions, apart from the north-west, July 2025 ranked among the top three hottest Julys ever recorded. In some areas, it became the hottest since the beginning of meteorological observations.

Throughout the month, daytime temperatures consistently exceeded average levels, often reaching 38–41°C, and in the hottest periods climbing to 42–44°C. In southern and desert areas, highs of 45–48°C were recorded.

Several locations set new temperature records or matched...

Uzbekistan’s Central Bank was the world’s top gold buyer in June 2025, acquiring nine tonnes, according to the World Gold Council.

This marked a sharp reversal from previous months, when the regulator sold one tonne in May and 11 tonnes each in April and March.

Kazakhstan followed with a seven-tonne purchase, while Turkey, China and the Czech Republic each bought two tonnes. Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines and Qatar added one tonne apiece.

Singapore was the largest seller for the second month in a row, offloading five tonnes in June.

Globally, central banks purchased a total of 22 tonnes of gold...

Dry and hot weather is expected across Uzbekistan during the day on August 6. No rainfall is forecast nationwide, and winds will blow at 7 to 12 m/s. Daytime temperatures will range from 33°C to 38°C.

In the capital, Tashkent, conditions will remain dry with light winds at 3 to 8 m/s. Temperatures in the city are expected to reach between 35°C and 37°C.

Mountainous regions will also remain mostly dry. However, isolated areas in the Fergana Valley’s highlands may experience brief showers or thunderstorms. Winds in these areas may reach 7 to 12 m/s, with occasional gusts up...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 6. This article contains information about the most favourable rates.

Here are Central Bank Reference Rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Several banks offer the best rates to exchange USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, JPY, or KZT into soums:

Financial institutions may change the value...

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), in collaboration with the Association of Young Architects of Uzbekistan, has announced the launch of the National Green Building Design Competition.

The competition features two categories: one for students and one for professionals. Participants are required to design a green building — either a new development or a renovation of an existing structure.

Entries must reflect the climatic conditions of Uzbekistan and incorporate modern, sustainable technologies. The use of local materials is encouraged to help reduce costs and minimize environmental impact.

Applications will be accepted online until September 10. The jury will evaluate submissions on...

In the first half of 2025, Afghan nationals accounted for the majority of business-related trips to Uzbekistan, totaling 207,500 visitors, according to data from the National Statistics Committee.

Citizens of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan also visited Uzbekistan for commercial purposes, with 12,200 and 1,600 travelers respectively. Turkmen citizens made up a modest share of the total.

In comparison, fewer visitors arrived from Russia (451) and Turkey (276) for business-related reasons. As of early July, Uzbekistan welcomed a total of 223,600 foreign visitors for commercial purposes — a 3.4-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed the development of an agreement on transit guarantees for countries without direct access to the sea. The initiative was voiced at a conference dedicated to this issue in Turkmenistan.

«Such a mechanism would ensure fair access to ports and transport routes, reduce shipping risks, and contribute to lowering inequality in global logistics,» the head of state emphasised.

Tashkent also supports accelerating the construction of the railway between Uzbekistan and Pakistan and connecting it to a broader corridor that links Uzbekistan with China. A key priority is...

Sea Breeze Uzbekistan, the company behind the ambitious luxury resort planned on the shores of Charvak Lake, has officially been registered as a joint venture, according to Uzbekistan’s Unified State Register of Enterprises and Organizations (EGRPO).

The registration took place on August 4, shortly after the government issued a decree outlining the measures for the creation of the Sea Breeze resort complex. The project is valued at $5 bn and will span more than 570 hectares of land.

Under the new regulations, any discharge of waste into Charvak Lake or the Chirchik River is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in...

Three tour operators from Navoi and Samarkand regions have been fined for advertising Umrah pilgrimage trips without the required licenses, according to Uzbekistan’s Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection.

The companies, A-Hello, Rayxona Tour, and SM Tower Tour, were found to have promoted Umrah packages in violation of advertising laws, despite lacking official authorization to offer such services. Administrative proceedings were initiated against all three firms.

In addition to the tour operators, eight Telegram channels and Instagram accounts that promoted the unlicensed religious tours were also held administratively liable.

Authorities emphasized that all advertisements for religious...

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been awarded the Turkmenistan state order «For Contribution to the Development of Cooperation.» The award was presented during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Ashgabat.

The honor was bestowed by National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. During the ceremony, Mirziyoyev expressed his deep gratitude, stating that he regards the award as a symbol of respect not only for him personally but for the people of Uzbekistan.

«I perceive this high distinction as recognition of our joint efforts to...