News about Uzbekistan: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has released a list of 23 commercial banks whose branches will be open on the weekend of October 24–25. Currency exchange and money transfer points will operate there. Working hours may vary depending on the branch.
Sevara AzamovaFrom November 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will introduce changes to utility tariffs and liquefied gas prices (drafts), Egypt's visa requirements, Kazakhstan's electronic permits, a reduction in advance payments for energy resources for businesses, restrictions on advertising calls and SMS, bank requirements to warn about loan risks, a new realtor law, expanded powers of traffic police, and proactive pension assignment. Also, in the US, Green Card lottery registration will resume by court decision. From November 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will see changes in utility tariffs and liquefied gas prices (drafts), Egypt's visa requirements, Kazakhstan's electronic permits, a reduction in advance payments for energy resources for businesses, restrictions on advertising calls and SMS, requirements for banks to warn about loan risks, a new law on realtors, expanded powers of traffic police, and proactive pension assignment. Also, in the US, Green Card lottery registration will resume by court decision.
Sevara AzamovaJamol Zhurayev, a driver on route 7 in Vladivostok, has been helping a blind couple board and exit the bus for almost ten years. The story gained attention after a local resident contacted the city administration: the driver received thanks on behalf of the city head and was given a commemorative gift.
Javlon TursunovDeputy Farhod Zayniyev reported that 628 gas stations in Uzbekistan do not comply with the norm requiring a minimum distance of 125 meters from residential buildings. A separate sanction for this violation was removed from the industrial safety bill due to corruption risks and the risk of shutting down the stations. Liability remains under the general norm. The government plans a phased relocation of such facilities.
Sevara AzamovaThe Cultural Heritage Agency announced a 50% discount on entrance tickets to cultural heritage sites, state museums and museum-reserves for elderly citizens. The benefit is valid from November 1 to 30, 2026 as part of the 'Tourism Month for the Elderly'. It was previously also reported that a 20% discount on railway tickets would be offered to elderly citizens.
Sevara AzamovaThe Central Bank of Uzbekistan set the following rates for October 24: dollar at 11,838.92 soums (-64.23), euro at 13,248.94 soums (-80.21), ruble at 147.05 soums (+0.30).
Javlon TursunovWosune International intends to expand the Wosune Food Ingredients Karshi plant in the Kashkadarya SEZ: investment will grow from $8.5 to $50 million in two stages. The enterprise dehydrates vegetables and herbs for export, including supplies to Nestlé and Mars. President Mirziyoyev instructed to work out the allocation of 30,000 hectares for export agricultural products.
Sevara AzamovaIn Astrakhan Region, a foreign national born in 2004 was detained; he was on an international wanted list on suspicion of sexual intercourse with a person under 16 in Uzbekistan. He was detained at the Karaozek checkpoint while attempting to leave Russia and is awaiting extradition.
Aziz KarimovBy Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 588 dated October 22, 2026, a regulation on the procedure for using elevators and their technical maintenance was approved. Elevator registration and maintenance contracts are moving to the electronic platform “Xavfsiz lift”, maintenance must be carried out at least once a month, and the transportation of construction materials in passenger elevators is prohibited. The rules enter into force on January 1, 2027.
Javlon TursunovFollowing the October 23 meeting between Alexey Likhachev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Rosatom announced that by the end of the year the foundation slab of the first power unit will be completed at the NPP site in the Jizzakh region, requiring about 10 thousand cubic meters of concrete. The parties also discussed personnel training, a nuclear city for more than 30 thousand people, and cooperation in nuclear medicine.
Sevara AzamovaFollowing a two-day summit in Uzbekistan attended by representatives of more than 100 countries, the Samarkand Declaration was adopted, calling for investment in healthcare, education and child protection. According to UNICEF, two thirds of the tracked child-related SDG indicators are behind schedule.
Javlon TursunovAs part of the Chery International User Summit 2026 in China, Brand Night took place. Uzbekistan was represented by singer Konsta, who performed the songs «Insonlar» and «Sengacha», while Chery owner Sardor Abdullayev received the Brand Trust Star Award. World premieres of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo X7 models were also held.
Javlon TursunovPresident of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law reforming the Latin alphabet: O‘, G‘, Sh and Ch will be replaced with Ö, Ğ, Ş and Ç, and the combination Ng will be removed. The alphabet will consist of 28 letters and an apostrophe. Documents and currency will not need to be changed, and the transition will be gradual.
Sevara AzamovaOn October 23, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the co-founder, chairman and CEO of the American investment company Eldridge Industries, Todd Boehly. The parties discussed major joint cooperation projects, including expanding partnership in the mining industry, metallurgy, construction, and the implementation of digital solutions for urban infrastructure. Following the talks, an agreement was reached on adopting a joint roadmap for the development of cooperation.
Sevara AzamovaOn October 21, the creation of the Bekabad industrial technopark began in the Bekabad district of the Tashkent region, developed jointly with Bashkortostan. In 2026–2028, 25 investment projects worth $200 million are planned, creating about 2,000 jobs. The first project will be a metal structures plant by Orstostan Ru worth more than $20 million.
Sevara AzamovaOn October 21, Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Sulton Tex Group factory in the Kashkadarya SEZ and instructed the National Bank to work out financing for the expansion of the textile cluster, which employs about 8,000 people. The company plans to increase the number of jobs to 30,000 and exports to $150 million. New projects worth $87 million were also presented, along with the history of the company's court conflict with the authorities.
Javlon TursunovAs part of the World Summit 'Investments in the Well-Being of Children' in Samarkand, Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan, together with Ziroat Mirziyoyeva and other high-ranking guests, visited the Imam al-Bukhari memorial complex and an exhibition on child development. Earlier, the guests opened the 'IMKON' center for preschool education and children's rehabilitation.
Javlon TursunovMarius Dan, head of Templeton Global Investments for Central Asia, told Gazeta about the results of the UzNIF IPO, plans to list portfolio companies on the stock exchange, the timing of the first dividends and reforms in the energy sector.
Sevara Azamova
