President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviews preparations for upcoming open dialogue with entrepreneurs

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was briefed on the progress of preparations for the upcoming open dialogue with entrepreneurs.

The dialogue, which has become a tradition, is important for directly examining pressing issues facing entrepreneurs, finding practical solutions, and further improving the business environment.

To ensure thorough preparations for the upcoming sixth open dialogue, a national headquarters comprising representatives of more than 50 ministries and agencies has been operating around the clock since May 15.

About 6,000 appeals have been received from entrepreneurs through the call center and official bots. More than 4,200 of them have been resolved positively, while nearly 1,800 remain under review.

As part of the preparations for the open dialogue, responsible organizations have held more than 750 meetings attended by over 8,800 entrepreneurs. More than 3,500 proposals and pressing issues were raised during these meetings.

More than 5,700 entrepreneurs participated in over 130 meetings organized by the Business Ombudsman and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, raising around 1,500 pressing issues. Together with the relevant ministries and agencies, proposals are being developed to comprehensively address the identified problems and improve existing legislation.

At the same time, a survey was conducted among 5,072 entrepreneurs from all regions of the country. The survey examined issues related to enterprise efficiency, investment and infrastructure support, tax administration, foreign trade, as well as the judicial and legal sphere.

Domestic private enterprises accounted for 93 percent of those surveyed. The survey covered the sectors of trade, services, industry, construction, and agriculture.

The analysis showed that enterprises still have considerable potential to increase labor productivity and reduce production costs. Enterprises that have introduced digital platforms, artificial intelligence and energy-saving technologies, developed new types of products, and adopted modern production methods demonstrate higher levels of sales, competitiveness, wages, and investment.

In particular, enterprises that have implemented at least three measures to improve efficiency are 4.1 times more likely to reduce production costs and 2.1 times more likely to achieve faster wage growth. However, only 11.6 percent of enterprises apply such measures in three or more areas, while 28.5 percent have taken no measures in this direction.

In 51 percent of enterprises, no new products, services, or innovations have been introduced recently, nor has any modernization been carried out. Over the past year, 40 percent of enterprises made no investments, while 29 percent have no plans to invest in the coming year. The main barriers cited were high interest rates on loans, undervaluation of collateral, excessive documentation requirements, and lengthy loan approval procedures.

According to the survey results, 38 percent of enterprises took no measures to reduce costs, while 53 percent reported an increase in the cost of goods and services. The main reasons cited were rising raw material prices, as well as higher energy and logistics costs. Furthermore, 43 percent of enterprises have taken no energy-saving measures, while 49 percent do not use renewable energy sources.

Infrastructure support also remains one of the main challenges facing entrepreneurs. Among the key problems cited were frequent disruptions, low voltage and pressure, as well as issues related to limits and tariffs.

While acknowledging the important reforms implemented in tax administration, survey participants pointed to a number of problems related to inspections and value-added tax refunds. At the same time, 94 percent of entrepreneurs gave a positive assessment of the impact of the stability rating on their activities.

Of the enterprises surveyed, 22.3 percent are engaged in foreign trade. The main barriers to exports were identified as difficulties in finding foreign customers, product certification, logistics, access to financial instruments, and customs procedures, as well as insufficient information about foreign markets and a lack of marketing skills.

In the judicial and legal sphere, access to qualified legal assistance and the transparency of public procurement received positive assessments. At the same time, 73 percent of entrepreneurs noted that bureaucratic procedures in the enforcement process have a negative impact on business.

The head of state emphasized the need to thoroughly analyze the appeals received and the survey results by region and sector, and to develop specific solutions to systemic problems hindering the development of entrepreneurship.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed officials to prepare proposals aimed at improving enterprise efficiency, widely introducing innovations and energy-saving technologies, addressing lending and infrastructure issues, improving tax administration, supporting exporters, and strengthening the legal protection of entrepreneurs.

The task was set to develop a specific solution and implementation mechanism for each issue to be raised during the open dialogue, with clear accountability and deadlines.