Foreign trade system analyzed, problems and urgent tasks defined

On February 5, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting to discuss priorities in reforming the system of foreign economic activity.

In his recent Address to the Oliy Majlis, the head of state noted the need to improve the external trade system, the oversight mechanisms and infrastructure in the sphere. Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed in particular the importance of reforming – building on foreign experience – the work of customs, sanitary, quarantine, veterinary and other services that exercise inspection at customs posts. 

The President ordered to establish a system in which inspection is conducted not at the border, but before the arrival of the cargo or after the output is put into free circulation within the country.

The trade supervision system has been criticized: currently, oversight of the imports and exports of 1,836 types of goods is carried out by three government agencies simultaneously, which leads to import-export documentation delay for weeks.

The head of our state underlined the importance of introducing a system whereby, in cases when it is impossible to quickly calculate the customs value of goods, the entrepreneur can pick them up by paying the estimated cost, and the difference between the anticipated amount and the actual amount due would be reimbursed or paid later.

The Ministry of Finance and the State Customs Committee have been tasked with developing a new Customs Code and improving the structure and administration of customs authorities with the engagement of international experts.