The creative industry is recognized as one of the most important sectors of the economy, relying on intellectual potential and creating high added value. The law adopted on July 7, 2026, titled 'On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the Development of the Creative Economy,' plays a key role in the further development of this sphere, improving its legal framework, and supporting creative businesses.
Fazliddin O'ktamov, Head of the Department of Economy and Finance, told UzA correspondent that the legal basis for developing the creative economy in the country has been further improved. Law No. URQ-1157 of July 7, 2026, opens up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, creative workers, and investors operating in the creative industry.
The main goal of this legislative act is to ensure the sustainable growth of the creative industry, create more favorable conditions for industry subjects, expand stimulation mechanisms, and transform creative ideas into economic value. Furthermore, the law promotes international cooperation and enhances the country's competitiveness in the field of the creative economy.
The law introduced significant amendments and additions to the Tax Code, as well as to the laws 'On Public Procurement' and 'On the Creative Economy.' These amendments are aimed at supporting creative businesses, attracting new participants, and forming a more favorable legal environment for international interaction.
One of the most significant innovations was the introduction of tax incentives for foreign contractors participating in creative projects. According to the law, from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2030, foreign contractors engaged in implementing projects carried out by residents of the Fund for the Development of Culture and Arts under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Creative Industry Park are exempt from VAT, profit tax withheld at source, and personal income tax.
These incentives apply when foreign specialists are hired to perform work or provide services directly related to creative projects. This allows for a reduction in costs associated with attracting highly qualified specialists and international experience to creative projects.
Another important aspect of the law concerns the support for newly established entities in the creative industry. Previously, it was required that an entity's income from creative activities constituted at least 80% of its total annual income to receive the status of a resident of the Creative Industry Park. Now, this requirement is temporarily not applied when admitting new or recently registered entities to the park.
This gives new creative enterprises the opportunity to benefit from incentives during the initial stage of operation and facilitates their entry into the market. However, the law maintains financial discipline: if the established requirements are not met by the end of the fiscal year, the used benefits are subject to recalculation and recovery into the budget in accordance with current tax legislation.
An important amendment was also made to the 'On Public Procurement' law. Now, public procurement related to the organization and holding of international and interstate events in the field of culture and art can be conducted directly based on contracts. This simplifies and accelerates the organization of international festivals, forums, exhibitions, and other cultural events.
Overall, the new law aims to create a more favorable legal environment for the creative industry. It opens up opportunities for expanding international cooperation, attracting foreign specialists and services, supporting new creative enterprises, increasing the economic value of creative products and services, and strengthening Uzbekistan's authority on the world cultural stage.
It is emphasized, however, that the effective use of incentives and concessions requires market participants to comply with established requirements, ensure transparent accounting, and maintain financial discipline. These changes represent an important legal step towards the sustainable development of the creative economy, the support of innovative ideas, and the formation of a modern creative ecosystem in the country.
One of the main directions of state policy is ensuring employment for young people in the country, developing their professional potential, and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives. The targeted activities being carried out in these areas contribute significantly to the active entry of young people into the labor market, securing their employment, and creating a stable source of income.
Within the scope of these initiatives, a working group from Ozkimyosanat JSC held targeted meetings with unemployed young people living in the Pakhtachi neighborhood of Kuyi Chirchiq district in Tashkent region. During these conversations, the interests, professional skills, future plans, and needs of the young people were deeply studied. Practical solutions were developed to ensure the employment of each young person based on their opportunities.
In connection with the 35th anniversary of the country's independence, these activities continued with a new important result. Ozkimyosanat JSC generously provided 5 young people with labor tools and necessary equipment corresponding to the profession and field of activity they chose. These measures created an important foundation for them to start their own work, become self-employed, and form a stable source of income.
According to the society information service data, such targeted support activities serve to increase the economic activity of young people, help them occupy a decent position in the labor market, and develop entrepreneurial initiatives.
During a reporting meeting dedicated to the semi-annual functioning of the Agency for Improving Management Efficiency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, sequential steps in human capital development were noted as a priority area of state policy.
It was reported that existing capabilities were revised in more than 40 districts and cities to implement a results-based management system. A deep analysis of economic potential, management processes, and the quality of public services was conducted in 16 districts and cities of the Samarkand region, as well as in the regions of Namangan, Syrdarya, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, Fergana, Jizzakh, and others.
For the first time, economic drivers for each district were determined using Big Data and SWOT analysis with artificial intelligence, which allowed for the formation of investment project maps.
As part of the mahalla-level work system, new service centers were opened in the Kahramon Khovos mahalla of the Syrdarya region and the Yangi Namangan Norin mahalla of the Namangan region. These centers provided residents with the opportunity to use 980 types of public services directly in the mahalla, without needing to contact various departments.
In terms of personnel provision, the personnel database was updated, and a reserve of high-potential personnel strategically important to the country was formed. This reserve included 415 graduates of foreign higher education institutions and Presidential schools, 250 promising female leaders, laureates of the 'Zulfiya' award, and selected promising specialists from various fields. This reserve is intended to ensure that the public administration system has competitive leaders with modern knowledge and skills.
At the end of the second quarter, the performance indicators of 435 managers and deputy managers from 113 republican organizations, as well as 1329 deputy hokims from 14 regions and 208 districts (cities), were assessed.
Additionally, 74 people out of 421 university graduates received promotions based on recommendations. The results of using artificial intelligence for strategic forecasting were presented. According to analyses, in the coming years, the country will have a need for more than 50 new modern specialties, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, digital transformation, 'green' energy, urbanism, geographic information systems, agrotechnology, and digital water resource management.
In this regard, practical work has begun on training personnel, forming a personnel reserve, and adapting educational programs to market needs. During the reporting period, 5316 civil servants participated in various training programs. Seminars on experience exchange were organized with the participation of experts from the University of 'Yangi Uzbekistan' and the Singapore Business School.
1860 applicants participated in the admission process to the Academy of Public Policy and Administration, of which 1334 passed the next selection stage. In the framework of international cooperation, 7 seminars were held with the participation of over 600 civil servants. Work is also underway to send 50 participants of the 'Young Talents' program for international internships within the FAO system.
A number of joint projects have been implemented with international organizations such as KOICA and JICA. Specifically, measures were taken to improve the qualifications of up to 30 civil servants in Japan and up to 20 managerial personnel in the United Kingdom.
A new interaction channel, 'Hokim - Vazir', was launched on the 'Digital Office' platform. The information systems 'hrm.gov.uz' and 'samaradorlik.gov.uz' have been entered into the state register as objects of critical information infrastructure. 49 new services have been integrated into the Agency's information systems through the 'E-Government' system. Currently, 30 thousand civil servants actively use the 'MyDX' mobile application. During the reporting period, a new system of targeted foreign internships was also introduced, according to which every dispatched employee must develop a practical project based on the acquired knowledge and experience.
Interviews were conducted with 300 candidates for the next internship programs, from whom 107 were selected. They will study in countries such as Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, Finland, Malaysia, Turkey, China, Azerbaijan, and others. Under the KOICA program, 15 candidates were selected from 169, and under the JICA program, 18 for master's and 1 for doctoral programs. Additionally, candidates for master's programs—232 and for doctoral programs—38 were chosen through the 'Umid el-Yurt' fund.
