Uzbekistan

Starting April 1, 2026, payments for fuel stations, real estate, vehicles, and major government services in Uzbekistan will be exclusively cashless, making plastic cards mandatory for many citizens. Economists propose waiving card top-up fees during the transition period to avoid barriers, arguing that increased transaction volumes will offset banks' revenue losses. The Central Bank has set commission limits: up to 206,000 soums for real estate and 103,000 soums for vehicles. Experts emphasize that these measures will facilitate a smooth shift to cashless payments, minimizing inconveniences and circumvention schemes.

The Business Ombudsman of Uzbekistan has proposed a review of the fine system under Article 227-1 of the Tax Code. Deputy Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights Jamshid Urunov, during a dialogue of the Interdepartmental Commission on WTO, described the current sanctions as critical for business survival.

A working group led by Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov and Deputy Prosecutor General Isroil Adkhamov conducted an inspection at the 'Daryon' scientific-experimental station in the Tashkent district of Tashkent region. The inspection focused on greening efforts and the expansion of the dendropark territory under the Forestry Agency.

In Tashkent’s Olmazor district, two young men have been sentenced for organizing street races that endangered citizens' lives and blatantly violated public order. According to the capital’s Legal and Public Safety Department (LPSD), on March 22 at 03:40, operational information was received about illegal racing involving Lacetti and Onix cars, which led to breaches of traffic rules and public peace.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated hometown favorite Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Miami Open final on Saturday, securing a victory that allowed her to join an exclusive club by completing the 'Sunshine Double'. This achievement involves winning the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments back-to-back, a feat accomplished by only four other women in history.

Uzbekistan's 2024 cotton harvest has achieved record-breaking figures in the country's history, highlighting the effectiveness of agricultural sector reforms. According to the State Statistics Committee, the yield reached approximately 3.5 million tons, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year. This outcome reflects the positive impact of policies aimed at introducing modern technologies in cotton farming and supporting agricultural enterprises.

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul reported that two Uzbek nationals, who were internationally wanted through Interpol on fraud charges, have been extradited from Turkey. They are identified as 40-year-old T.R. from the Khorezm region and 38-year-old F.A. from Tashkent, suspected of committing large-scale fraud.

At an international seminar held in Stockholm, Uzbekistan's extensive experience in promoting religious tolerance, countering extremism, and reintegrating former members of terrorist groups was presented. The event took place on March 24–25 at the Swedish Parliament – the Riksdag, gathering over 120 participants, including MPs, Swedish government representatives, experts, law enforcement agencies, religious organizations, and diplomatic corps. The Uzbek delegation was led by representatives of religious and state structures, headed by Mufti Nuriddin Khaliknazar, along with experts in religion and interfaith dialogue.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen expressed frustration after qualifying a lowly 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, describing his Red Bull car as "undriveable". The Dutch driver, who has won at Suzuka for the past four years, was eliminated in Q2, compounding a difficult start to the Formula One season that has seen him struggle with consistency and performance issues.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken action against fast bowler Naseem Shah for criticizing a politician's presence at the opening of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the country's premier domestic tournament. Shah commented on a PCB post about the opening game on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Why is she treated like the queen at Lord’s?" in an apparent reference to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's attendance at the stadium. He deleted the post shortly after and later claimed his account had been hacked.

The leadership of the Tashkent Metro has commented on reports of a forced train stop at the "Khalqlar Dustligi" station. According to official information, the cause of the incident was a short-term technical malfunction of the train.

In Uzbekistan, the cotton harvesting season is ongoing in the agricultural sector. According to state statistics data, harvesting work is currently ahead of schedule, raising expectations for a record yield by the end of the year. However, experts advise caution regarding these optimistic forecasts, as factors such as climate change and water resource issues still pose significant threats.