This week, key topics were discussed in the fields of energy, automotive industry, renovation, cryptocurrency, and WTO. In the weekly roundup, Spot has gathered the most significant articles and news that you might have missed.
Energy Resource Conservation Raids
Raids were conducted in Tashkent targeting businesses for excessive energy consumption. Inspections revealed establishments that unnecessarily illuminated premises or advertising structures during the daytime.
During two days of inspections, 264 administrative protocols were drawn up. If entrepreneurs refuse to sign the documents, their establishments are promised to be disconnected from the electrical grid. Violators also face fines of up to 15 BRV (5.55 million sums).
The responsible secretary of the Mirabad district prosecutor's office stated that the main goal of the raids is to “ensure a stable supply of electricity and prevent its irrational use.”
The founder of the Giotto network, Kemal Kaya, told Spot about the inspection of his establishment in the Yakkasaray district, which resulted in a protocol under Article 100 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.
Photo: Press service of the Mirabad district hokimiyat
Renovation in Tashkent
Residents of the "Yuldosh" (Sputnik) neighborhood will be relocated in 2-3 years to a new residential complex called "Yangi mahalla." The hokim of the Yangihayat district promised that there would be no new large constructions on the site of the demolished wooden houses, but instead, a dendropark would be created preserving 60-year-old trees.
Tashkent Invest announced a selection process for a renovation project in the "Tukimachi-2" neighborhood. The new project covers a land area of 0.4 hectares in the "Tukimachi-2" neighborhood of the Yakkasaray district. The project is expected to be implemented within 36 months.
The president also instructed to include the areas adjacent to the Tashkent - Khojikent route in the renovation program for 2025, to tidy them up and straighten the winding sections of the route.
In addition, reconstruction of the "Pahktakor" stadium will begin in the spring of 2025. The president of the football club, Jahongir Artykhodjaev, noted that the sports facility is planned to be brought in line with FIFA standards and norms.
0Photo: Madina Azam / "Gazeta.uz"
Automotive Industry
During a meeting with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the possible reduction in prices for BYD electric vehicles in 2025 was discussed. The price drop is anticipated due to the production of 60 parts at local factories. The head of state emphasized the importance of improving quality and localization.
“At the meeting with the president, the issue of reducing production costs was discussed. We reported the possibility of reducing costs this year across all sectors by approximately 2.5 trillion sums. This includes the localization of parts production, attracting alternative suppliers, optimizing logistics routes, and production expenses,” said Ulugbek Rozukulov, chairman of "Uzavtosanoat."
According to him, a development program for the automotive industry until 2030 is being developed in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BSG). This program aims to create 1 million jobs directly and indirectly related to the automotive industry.
Additionally, in 2025, the state company plans to launch a car factory in Azerbaijan, which will enhance export potential. For the first time, domestic cars were also exported to Georgia and Mongolia.
Housing and Utilities and Electricity Exports
In 2025, heating and hot water tariffs in Uzbekistan may double. The head of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Utilities, Ilkhom Torayev, suggested that tariffs might be indexed due to the increase in electricity and natural gas tariffs from April 1.
“Next year, tariffs in the regions will increase twice. This is because there is a huge state subsidy to cover [losses]. In this regard, we need to revise the rates to eliminate subsidies and update the system,” said Ilkhom Torayev.
At the same time, Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov stated that the export of “green” electricity to Europe will be carried out without harming or burdening Uzbekistan's energy system. According to him, in 2024, the volume of direct foreign investments in the "green" energy sector will increase more than threefold—from $1.3 billion to $4.6 billion.
Quote of the Week
1In response to a question about the validity of concerns that Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO would lead to an influx of high-quality and cheap foreign goods that could "overwhelm" local entrepreneurs, businessman Jahongir Artykhodjaev commented that this is an “unwarranted fear” and “there is no need to be afraid.”
The former hokim of Tashkent emphasized that joining the WTO will facilitate the export of Uzbek products to foreign markets.
Moreover, this week Uzbekistan reached agreements on supporting its accession to the WTO with the Philippines and Pakistan.
Articles of the Week
Spot recalled which companies from near and far abroad entered the Uzbekistan market in 2024 or announced similar plans. Among them are Zeekr, Porsche, Inditex, Agalarov Development, ELLE, Wolt, and others.
The founders of the Pipls establishments, Amir Usmanhodzhaev and Kirill Saidakhmedov, explained to Spot why they abandoned the idea of launching a franchise, how long it took to develop drink recipes, what prompted them to actively expand, and how marketing campaigns help maintain interest in their product.
Russian artist Alexandra Romanova, who opened a ceramics workshop in Uzbekistan, shared in an interview with Spot about her "ceramics business," the creative space U100, and her dream of receiving an award from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Former financier Shahzod Islamov told Spot why he gave up the idea of launching flights in an aerotube, how he opened a VR arena on a franchise that paid off in nine months, and about the expansion of his business and new projects.
Number of the Week
2On December 5, the bitcoin exchange rate exceeded $100,000 for the first time in