President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held an open dialogue with entrepreneurs in the Khorezm region on August 18, during which he announced significant changes to the prepayment system for energy resources.

Under the new rules, enterprises connected to electricity (ASKUE) and gas (ASKUG) metering systems and maintaining payment discipline will see their advance payment requirement reduced from 100% to 15%.

The head of state noted that many entrepreneurs complained that the 100% advance payment requirement was reducing their working capital. “We are fundamentally changing the energy management system. There will be a new system in all districts that works based on the current needs and future plans of entrepreneurs,” Mirziyoyev said.

It is worth recalling that the 100% advance payment requirement for electricity and natural gas for legal entities has been in effect since July 1, 2024. A similar procedure was in place from July 2017 to February 2019, after which the mandatory advance was reduced to 50%.

In late 2023, the Ministry of Energy explained the return to 100% advance payments by consumer violations, including unauthorized connections to power grids and distortion of consumption data due to a shortage of metering devices.

The president also announced that from 2027, a new approach will be introduced to stimulate contracting and design organizations in the construction sector. It is planned to allocate funds in the amount of 5% of the minimum wage for each man-hour.

The estimates for state facilities will include a 7% profit margin for contracting organizations. Additionally, from 4% to 7% of the project cost will be allocated for design work, depending on the complexity of the facility.

Source: www.gazeta.uz