Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Presidential Decree “On additional measures for the accelerated development of industry and its basic sectors” was adopted.

According to the document, the tasks and functions for the implementation of state industrial policy and the development of basic industries are assigned to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

At the same time, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade is responsible for issues of production in local industries, investments, exports, localization and development of industrial zones.

The main tasks of the Ministry of Economy and Finance for industrial development have been identified:

implementation of a unified industrial policy and the introduction of modern mechanisms for the development of its industries;

identifying areas that stimulate industrial development, taking into account the availability of natural raw materials, labor resources and relative advantages of regions, as well as coordinating their implementation;

development of basic industries, including oil and gas, energy, chemical, mining, engineering industries, increasing their competitiveness, implementing diversification, developing strategies and programs for their reform;

ensuring proportional distribution of resources across industries and regions, as well as balanced development of infrastructure;

together with the relevant ministries, the formation and monitoring of the balance of production and consumption of energy resources, valuable and non-ferrous metals, other strategic resources, as well as the optimal placement of production forces.

In the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with the involvement of international consulting companies, a Project Office is being created to implement industrial policy and develop directions for the development of basic industries. To support the activities of the Project Office, the Ministry is allowed, as an exception, to enter into direct contracts with international consulting companies.

The Decree also provides for transferring to the Ministry of Economy and Finance:

State Unitary Enterprise “Center for Comprehensive Expertise of Projects and Import Contracts”;

45 staff units of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

In addition, the document defines:

exclusion of caustic soda, soda ash, building glass, technical kerosene, petroleum paraffin, formalin from the List of highly liquid and monopoly types of products, raw materials and materials sold by monopoly enterprises on the basis of market principles, exclusively through exchange trading.

granting the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights the right to determine the criteria and descriptions of goods and raw materials allowed for trading on the commodity exchange, as well as making changes and additions to the list.