Uzbekistan

The President of Uzbekistan signed a decree on April 20 regarding additional measures to accelerate the privatization of Asakabank. The document envisages the transformation of the bank, preparation for the sale of a stake to a strategic investor, and the involvement of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This decision is based on an agreement signed between the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the EBRD, and Asakabank, which includes improving the bank's operational efficiency and capitalization, as well as the possibility of the EBRD acquiring a 15% stake.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a significant statement on the country's socio-economic development, marking a crucial step in outlining Uzbekistan's future directions.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan met with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on April 21, during the latter's official visit to the country. The discussions focused on further developing cooperation in modernizing and strengthening the national healthcare system, addressing key challenges in this sector.

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, plans to launch direct flights to Tashkent, as announced by the press service of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriyev and the airline's Chief Operating Officer, Captain Majed Al-Marzuki.

In Uzbekistan, the MyGov state services portal has launched an online service for transferring a mobile number to another person. This innovation represents a full digitalization of a process that previously required the physical presence of both parties at an operator's office. Subscribers can now complete this procedure by logging into the my.gov.uz website or the MyGov app, selecting the "Mobile Number Re-registration" service, filling in the details, and submitting an application as both the transferring and receiving parties.

Economist Mirkomil Kholboev presented an optimistic forecast that Uzbekistan could achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2040. He stated that if the average growth rate of 16% observed after 2021 is maintained, the country could cross this threshold as early as 2038. This forecast was made in response to economist Otabek Bakirov's question on X: "Can we build a $1 trillion economy by the time Uzbekistan's population reaches 50 million people?"

The Head of the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, held a meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during an international forum on countering drug threats in Samarkand. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between Uzbekistan and WHO, with an emphasis on addressing key health challenges through collaborative efforts, though the practical outcomes of such high-level engagements often face implementation hurdles in the region.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has announced a series of new initiatives aimed at developing the country's economy and enhancing public welfare. According to his statements, these initiatives encompass comprehensive reforms in industry, agriculture, and tourism, while also focusing on attracting foreign investment and creating local job opportunities.

On April 21, an open dialogue was held at the “Uzbekconcert” building in Tashkent, with the participation of Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov and representatives of the artistic community. The main topic of discussion was a proposed new system for taxing artists' incomes. The minister emphasized that the project has not yet been officially approved, but the debate has revealed a significant lack of knowledge and misconceptions about taxation among many artists.

At its session on April 21, Uzbekistan's Legislative Chamber considered proposals to expand the territories of Qiziriq District in Surkhandarya Region and Zarafshon City in Navoi Region. According to the chamber's press service, these changes aim to stimulate economic and social development in the areas.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has introduced new administrative liability measures for offenses related to portable laser emitters (laser pointers). This is implemented under Law ORK-1132, adopted on April 17, 2025, which amended the Code of Administrative Responsibility. The bill was passed by the Legislative Chamber on July 22, 2025, and approved by the Senate on December 18, aiming to strengthen the fight against the illegal circulation of laser devices in the country.

Shavkat Ayupov, President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and a Hero of Uzbekistan, has issued a stark warning about systemic corruption, plagiarism, and the proliferation of 'predatory' journals in the country's academic degree system. In an interview with Jadid.uz, Ayupov stated that while state incentives for obtaining degrees have increased, they have been widely abused, leading to a tenfold surge in degree awards without corresponding quality improvements.