NEWS

Edward’s East Strategies has prepared monitoring papers of the most notable regulatory initiatives and personnel changes in republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan within the period September 15 – October 15, 2023.

Over the past period, it has been proposed to restrict the trade in energy drinks in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The published proposals of the Ministry of Health concern bans on the sale of energy products to persons under 21 and the sale of products in vending machines.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan approved an order banning the import of wheat into the country by road and rail. According to the ministry, the decision is dictated by ensuring the economic security of the country.

The EAEU has extended the validity period of the threshold for duty-free import of goods for personal use of 1,000 euros. The decision should support citizens who order goods for personal use in foreign online stores, including in Kazakhstan.

In turn, in the Republic of Uzbekistan, large business was able to achieve the abolition of restrictions on foreign exchange transactions adopted by the Central Bank in the shortest possible time.

In addition, the Government of Uzbekistan has increased electricity and gas prices for enterprises and budget organizations several times since October 1. The tariff increase does not apply to ordinary citizens.

Benefits for the import of some products were also approved. In particular, garbage trucks and dump trucks are exempt from the recycling fee, and tower cranes, conveyors and equipment for the production of sticks are exempt from customs duty and VAT.

The overviews also provide other regulatory legal acts and appointments of interest to business.