The seminar was aimed at explaining new changes and amendments to the legislation of Uzbekistan, which were introduced in line with the presidential decree “On additional measures on further improving investment climate and business environment in Uzbekistan” and presidential resolution “On measures on further improving procedures, related to conducting entrepreneurship activities and providing state services”.

It was underlined that the documents are directed at further improving business environment in Uzbekistan, favourable business climate, improving entrepreneurship activities, raising employment of population, etc.

In particular, the presidential decree said that the ministries, state committees, departments, joint stock companies and association, as well as state bodies in places should publish information on their interaction with the business entities at their official websites and update it on regular bases.

From 1 June 2014, the businesses will not responsible for violation of legislative acts, if the state bodies did not publish them on their official websites. This move should ensure that businesses will have access to legislation and improve their legal knowledge.

The decree also extended moratorium for holding tax inspection of financial-economic activities of small businesses, who timely pay taxes and mandatory payments, as well as ensure sustainable growth and profitability of the production, till 1 January 2017.

The small businesses now can attract more workforces. From 1 July 2014, the maximum number of employees, who the businesses can attract, will increase from 100 to 200.

The banks now cannot levy commission for operations of the small businesses with their banking accounts, when they pay taxes or other mandatory payments to the state budget of Uzbekistan.

Now the tax bodies cannot suspend operations of businesses with their banking accounts without permission of the court if the businesses failed to submit tax reports in time. Earlier, the tax bodies could suspend operations with the banking accounts of businesses, which failed to submit tax reports in time. The order is directed at cutting interference of controlling bodies to activities of the businesses.

The decree also approved a programme on additional measures on further improving investment climate and business activities, and stimulating development of entrepreneurship activities for 2014-2015.

The decree also prolonged term of electronic signature certificates from 12 to 24 months, which will cut expenses of the businesses.

The presidential resolution abolished some licensing and permission documents from 1 June 2014, as well as terms and sizes of duties at registration of licenses and permission documents.

The Cabinet of Ministers to ensure introduction of one-stop-shop principle in legislative level at issuing licenses from 1 January 2015.

Cabinet of Ministers in cooperation with the state committees and bodies should launch a personal cabinet of businesses at the Single portal of interactive state services of Uzbekistan, which would allow:

- interactive registration and submission of financial, tax, statistic and other reports in electronic form;

- payment of taxes and other mandatory payments, communal payments, state duties for consideration and issuance of permission and licensing documents via internet banking system;

- receive certificates and other interactive state services.