News

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...

From July 23 to 29, 2025, a delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade visited the United States to boost export capacity and deepen trade and economic relations.

During their visit to New York, 25 Uzbek textile companies showcased their products under the unified «Made in Uzbekistan» brand at three major international trade fairs — Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing USA and Home Textiles Sourcing Expo.

As part of the exhibitions, Uzbek representatives held talks with major brands and industry associations, including Levi Strauss & Co., PVH Corp., American Eagle Outfitters, Macy’s, Bunzl plc, Tapestry Inc., and trade...

The Grand Mir Hotel in Tashkent, formerly known as Hotel Rossiya, is set to be demolished, Kursiv Uzbekistan has confirmed with staff at the hotel.

Although the exact demolition date has not yet been finalised, the hotel remains open for business, according to a hotel employee.

According to Podrobno.uz, the demolition is planned for September, as reported by Shavkat Abdullayev, a representative of the architecture firm Design Factory. The company is part of Sarikoc Holding, which also owns Koç Construction, the company behind major developments in the capital including the Hilton Hotel and Congress Hall in Tashkent City

Justin Bieber has once again sent the internet into a frenzy, this time not with music, but with a hoodie. The pop star posted a photo of himself on Twitter wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the phrase «It’s not clocking to you,» a line from a recent viral encounter with paparazzi.

The post quickly exploded across social media, with fans flooding the comments and quote tweets urging Bieber to turn the moment into official merchandise. Many are already calling it «the next iconic Bieber look.»

The now-famous phrase, delivered by Bieber in response to a persistent paparazzo, quickly became...

In July 2025, Uzbekistan’s solar and wind power stations produced a record-breaking 1.246 bn kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, according to new official data. This amount represents 17% of the country’s total energy production for the month and marks the highest monthly output from renewables in Uzbekistan’s history.

This milestone was made possible by the operation of 11 solar photovoltaic stations and four wind power plants across the country, with a combined capacity of 4,119 MW. The output in July surpassed the previous record set in May 2025, when solar and wind plants generated 1.104 bn kWh, making July’s figure...

If you’re coming to Uzbekistan for Jennifer Lopez‘s concert in Tashkent on August 7, you’re in for more than just one unforgettable night. The pop icon’s only Tashkent performance is reason enough to book a trip, and while you’re here, it’s the perfect chance to explore the country beyond the stage.

With its mix of modern energy and ancient heritage, Uzbekistan offers a rich experience for every type of traveller. From the vibrant streets of Tashkent to the historic cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, there’s plenty to see, taste and discover before or after the big night.

The concert is...

A farm in Kazakhstan’s Raiymbek district is set to grow a specialised variety of potatoes for use in Lays crisps, under a new collaboration with global food giant PepsiCo.

The agricultural firm, Altyn Dan, was established in 2023 with support from the local government in the Almaty region. Initially launched as a service centre, the company has quickly become a key player in the region’s farming industry.

At present, Altyn Dan cultivates potatoes across 150 hectares using drip irrigation technology to conserve water. In addition, grain crops are being grown on 1,500 hectares of the Karoy Plain.

The farm...

Israel’s GCI Gemological Centers has signed a partnership agreement with Uzbek company Expert One to establish a gemological centre in Tashkent, according to Dunyo news agency.

The new centre will focus on the analysis and certification of diamonds and other precious stones, applying GCI’s international standards. Alongside its core work, GCI Gemological Centers Uzbekistan plans to introduce educational programmes in gemology – the scientific study of gemstones and ornamental minerals.

Once operational, the Tashkent facility will become GCI’s first in Central Asia and only its second branch globally. The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv and currently operates gem...

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan met with Turkmenistan’s National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, during a visit to the city of Turkmenbashi.

At the start of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev warmly congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on the successful organisation of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, stressing the importance of the issues discussed for sustainable development in the region.

The two leaders reviewed progress on strengthening bilateral ties, following up on agreements made during their April meeting in Samarkand. They noted with satisfaction the steady growth in cooperation, grounded in friendship, trust and mutual...

Russia’s Supreme Court has refused to revisit a case brought by Russian company Telemarket, which sought to recover more than 46 bn roubles ($576.8 mln) in penalties from Uzbekistan-based enterprise Inspired. The claim was related to an alleged violation of rights to the trademark Рауmе.

In its ruling, the court stated that lower courts had fully reviewed the evidence, confirmed the relevant facts, and properly interpreted the applicable legal norms before reaching a decision.

Dispute rooted in use of similar app name

Telemarket had claimed exclusive rights to the Рауmе brand in relation to a number of goods...

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has started accepting corporate bonds in its repo operations, expanding its list of eligible assets and giving commercial banks more ways to raise funds. The announcement came during a recent media dialogue with Central Bank officials.

Previously, only government-issued securities were accepted in repo deals. Now, the “collateral list” also includes corporate and mortgage refinancing bonds, according to Khumoyun Usmonaliev, Deputy Director of the Monetary Operations Department.

New rules introduce risk-based adjustments

To manage risk, the Central Bank applies what it calls a “correction factor” for each type of bond. This reduces the value...

Weather conditions across Uzbekistan on August 5, 2025 remain hot and dry, with no rain expected during the day. Winds are forecast at 7 to 12 metres per second, and daytime temperatures will range between 33°C and 38°C.

In Tashkent, dry weather also prevails, with lighter winds of 5 to 10 m/s and temperatures expected between 35°C and 37°C.

Mountainous areas will mostly stay dry as well, though isolated parts of the Fergana Valley’s highlands may experience brief rain showers or thunderstorms. Winds there are expected to reach 7 to 12 m/s, with gusts potentially increasing to...

The US President Donald Trump has spoken in support of actress Sydney Sweeney after her advert for American Eagle received criticism on social media.

On August 4, Trump posted on Truth Social: «Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. Go get ’em Sydney!»

Sweeney, known for her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, appears in a new American Eagle advert that was released on 23 July. In it, she says:

«Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour...

Several banks have updated their rates for exchanging foreign currencies into UZS as of August 5. 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 majority of highly liquid stocks on the Republican Stock Exchange (RSE) «Toshkent» showed mixed performance from July 28 to August 1, as the Uzbekistan Composite Index (UCI) slipped by 0.7%.

Several stocks posted modest gains, while others saw sharp declines.

Uzbektelecom shares led the gains with a 3.82% increase, followed by Uzbek Republican Commodity Exchange (UzRCE) at +3.32% and Ipak Yuli Bank at +3.11%.

However, Kokand Mechanical Plant shares recorded the steepest decline of the week, falling 12.71%. Biokimyo JSC dropped 11.10%, while Uzbekneftegaz lost 6.57%.

Common shares of Ipoteka Bank and preferred shares of Hamkorbank remained unchanged during...

Tesla has awarded CEO Elon Musk 96 mln shares valued at approximately $29 bn, according to a recent filing, in a move aimed at retaining the billionaire amid ongoing leadership and compensation tensions, as reported by The Telegraph.

The interim 2025 grant comes as the company continues to battle shareholder unrest over a previously voided $56 bn pay package from 2018, which a Delaware court ruled was «excessive.» Musk is currently appealing that decision.

Musk, already Tesla’s largest shareholder with a 12.7% stake, has publicly stated he would be uncomfortable leading the company without at least 25% voting control...

Uzbekistan will attract loans and private investments to finance the construction of infrastructure for the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort near Lake Charvak, according to a new government resolution.

The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) has been instructed to secure funding from international financial institutions and private investors by January 1, 2026.

The planned works include the construction of a bridge, access roads, and utility infrastructure for the site. The resort will be developed on leased plots of land, and developers are required to pay an infrastructure fee of $50 per square meter of built-up area. These funds will...

As of January 1, 2025, Uzbekistan had 9.6 mln young people aged 14 to 30, accounting for 25.7% of the country’s total population, according to new data from the State Statistics Committee (UzStat).

The Samarkand region recorded the highest number of youth, with 1.1 mln individuals in this age group. It was followed by the Fergana region with 1 mln, and Kashkadarya with 969,200.

Other regions with significant youth populations include Andijan (870,800) and Namangan (790,100).

In the capital city Tashkent, the youth population reached 729,900 as of the beginning of the year.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that...

Uzbekistan has shown interest in importing cotton from the United States, according to the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT).

Discussions on potential purchases took place in late July between Uzbek officials and representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Cotton Council International. The proposed deliveries would be facilitated through Washington’s GSM-102 credit guarantee program, which supports agricultural exports.

The two sides also explored the launch of a “Made from U.S. Cotton” initiative to promote products made using American raw cotton.

In 2024, the U.S. harvested 14.4 mln bales of cotton, marking a 19% year-on-year increase...