The Uzbek government plans to sell state stakes in 18 markets, shopping complexes, and car markets located in the Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Tashkent, and Fergana regions. The list is included in a presidential decree of August 28 aimed at reducing state involvement in the economy and accelerating privatization.
In most enterprises, the state holds a controlling stake ranging from 51% to 68%. The terms and procedures for the sale are to be proposed by local authorities and approved by the State Assets Management Agency. Proceeds from privatization, after deducting appraisal and sale costs, will be directed to the respective local budgets.
A separate list in the decree focuses on accelerating the already-started privatization of several markets and shopping complexes in Tashkent, including Sergeli, Yangiabad, Orikzor, Aviasozlar, Farhod, and the Kuyluk market. These facilities cover a total area of 91.94 hectares, with building and structure area of approximately 519,400 square meters.
A mandatory condition for the sale is the construction of modern eco-markets, trade and service facilities, entertainment centers, and multi-story parking lots on the sites of existing markets. To prepare the facilities for sale, Tashkent Invest Company must develop business projects and master plans for territorial development.
The new list includes the largest number of assets in the Namangan region, where state stakes in seven enterprises are to be sold. In the Samarkand region, stakes in three enterprises will be put up for privatization, including a 100% stake in the Samarkand housing repair enterprise. In the Surkhandarya region, the state plans to sell 51% of Lolazor Denov Baraka and 54.6% of the Jarkurgan dekhkan (food) market. In the Tashkent region, a 51% stake in the Kibray dekhkan market will be offered. Five more assets are located in the Fergana region.
The presidential decree approves a new phase of reducing state participation in the economy. In total, it is planned to put up for sale stakes in 84 business entities, 1,242 real estate properties, and about 8,000 hectares of land plots. The total value of assets earmarked for sale is estimated at approximately 100 trillion soums. By the end of the year, authorities expect to receive at least 14 trillion soums from their sale.
Source: www.gazeta.uz