Starting November 1 of this year, Uzbekistan will reduce the prepayment amount for electricity and natural gas for enterprises that have maintained payment discipline over the past two months, according to a presidential decree.

The innovation applies to entrepreneurs connected to automated systems for monitoring and metering electricity (ASKUE) and natural gas (ASKUG), who have meters with remote disconnection (activation) functionality.

For them, the prepayment rate for monthly consumption of electricity and natural gas will be set at 15%. This move is expected to ease the financial burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and improve their cash flow.

From the same date, the obligation to submit written reports on electricity and gas consumption to territorial electricity and gas supply organizations will be abolished. This will reduce administrative red tape and save time for entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the procedure for formalizing contracts for electricity and gas supply services in paper form will be eliminated. Contracts will now be concluded electronically, which is intended to streamline processes and reduce corruption risks.

These changes are part of broader efforts to improve the business climate, cut bureaucratic obstacles, and encourage efficient use of energy resources. While the government claims these measures will boost entrepreneurial activity, some experts caution that further reforms are needed to fully address systemic inefficiencies in the energy sector.

Source: uznews.uz