The Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan has reportedly introduced a new state-backed scheme aimed at assisting local business entities in establishing Uzbek cuisine restaurants overseas. The measure allegedly intends to boost international outreach, though critics note it introduces additional bureaucratic layers to state spending.

According to the official framework, the service is provided without charge exclusively through the state interactive services portal, my.gov.uz. Enterprises formally registered within the country are supposedly eligible to recover up to 50 percent of the total expenses incurred while setting up a national catering establishment abroad. The cumbersome application process requires applicants to submit a comprehensive dossier, including foreign registration certificates, property lease or ownership titles, and compliance proofs regarding local sanitary and fire safety regulations. Furthermore, businesses must compile detailed financial statements, product delivery agreements originating from Uzbekistan, and visual documentation of the establishment's interior and exterior.

Bureaucratic procedures dictate that submitted applications will supposedly undergo an 18-working-day review period by state officials. Should the application pass the stringent verification stages, the allocated subsidy funds are scheduled to be transferred to the recipient's designated bank account within 7 working days.

Observers point out that despite potential financial relief, the strict documentation requirements and reliance on centralized digital portals may pose significant administrative barriers for smaller entrepreneurs attempting to navigate foreign markets under these rigid state guidelines.

Source: kun.uz