Uzbekistan to Renew its Customs Code

The immensity of attention and prioritization of economic issues taken under thorough consideration by the state are notable particulars of the path of development chosen by Uzbekistan. The process of bringing the solution of these issues into the reality step-by-step has been noted as a unique method Uzbek administration uses to tackle the obstacles on the its way of growth. The country has achieved tremendous achievements with respect to renewal of both legal and practical "prompts" of it legislative documents that stipulate the reforms being carried out correspondingly. Next in renewal queue is Draft Customs Code that is currently under a wide public discussion. A roundtable entitled "Draft Customs Code in new edition: consideration of prepared draft law and determination of its further discussion" was held in Tashkent.

The roundtable aimed at presentation of results of carried out work, assessment of draft bill, consultations and discussion of the bill.

The discussion noted that the working group did a great work on development of customs code, which meets international norms. However, the consultations are under way on some issues, including terms and orders of customs registration, declaration, post-customs control and others.

International experts believe that the strengthening of economic growth of Uzbekistan is also connected with development of foreign economic activity. They also suggest the escalation of economic growth in 2004-2006 was connected with the significant expansion of foreign trade economic activities of the country. The Uzbek exports increased twice in 2003-2006.

The export expansion was connected with measures on liberalization of trade and currency policy, stimulation of private sector development and favorable trends in world markets.

However, the customs procedures take time whereas the foreign economic activity imposes high expenses to participants. The case requires the normative base for customs affairs to be facilitated but not complicated, along with its administration needing to be transparent.

This is connected with that Customs Code is not document of direct action and customs administration is carried out based on many by-laws (over 350), which sometimes are contradictory to the Customs Code. National customs legislation and method of work of customs body is not harmonized with international standards.

In this connection, the Uzbek government put task on development of new edition of Customs Code, which should be document of direct action and meet international standards and agreements. The document should also become tool of formation of favorable conditions for expansion of private sectors' participation in foreign economic activity of the country.