Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Representatives of the tourism industry are urging the authorities of Uzbekistan to provide benefits for the import of tourist buses.

On 2 July, a round table was held to discuss issues related to the development of tourism and transport infrastructure in the country.

During the event, Mansur Ramazanov, a representative of Avrud Travel, highlighted problems associated with high duties on the import of tourist buses, which reach 70%.

Ramazanov noted that this significantly increases the costs for companies engaged in tourist services. Duties on importing a bus from China costing US$110,000−140,000 raise its price to US$200,000. This makes fleet renewal economically inefficient, as the transport’s payback period extends to ten years. Ramazanov also emphasized the growing need for modern tourist buses due to the increasing number of tourists. He reminded that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set a goal to increase the number of foreign tourists to 11 million.

The Avrud Travel representative stressed the necessity of regularly updating the fleet to meet the requirements of European tourists, who prefer transport not older than five years.

The First Deputy Head of the Tourism Committee, Jamshid Abdusalomov, announced that a presidential decree would soon be issued to exempt entrepreneurs from paying duties on the import of tourist buses with a capacity of eight or more seats.

The event also discussed standards related to road infrastructure and provided services. Requirements for the placement of service facilities along the roads were defined.

Deputy Minister of Transport Jasur Choriev noted that the concept for development and the provision of benefits to entrepreneurs has already been presented to the president during his visit to the Jizzakh region.

Additional materials on this issue are being prepared, and a corresponding document is expected to be adopted. He also emphasized that infrastructure in the form of rest areas and repair centers will be created on major highways at intervals of 50−100 kilometers.