The country is actively promoting the development of the creative industry, aimed at innovatively enriching the economy. Large-scale projects are being implemented to transform creative potential into economic value, create new jobs, and support the creative initiatives of youth and entrepreneurs.
Legislative Changes
The Law 'On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legal Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan Regarding the Development of the Creative Economy,' which came into force on July 8, 2026, introduces significant adjustments in this sector. According to Abdusaid Kuchimov, a member of the Supreme Council for Arts, the main goal of the new law is to create favorable conditions and stimulating mechanisms for the further development of the creative economy by providing additional benefits.
Tax and Structural Changes
The law provides for the introduction of specific tax benefits for specialists involved in projects implemented by the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art, as well as residents of the Creative Industrial Park. Specifically, the term 'Creative Park' in the Tax Code is replaced with 'Creative Industrial Park,' ensuring consistency with the concept of the creative industrial park outlined in the 'Law on the Creative Economy.'
Benefits for International Partners
From January 1, 2030, until January 1, 2030, and during the period from January 1, 2026, Value Added Tax, profit tax, and personal income tax are exempted for foreign contractors engaged in projects carried out by the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art and residents of the Creative Industrial Park under the auspices of the Presidential Administration.
These benefits apply when performing work or providing services directly related to the creative industry sector. Furthermore, additions were made to the 'Law on Public Procurement' to ensure the high quality of international and interstate events under the auspices of the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art.
Implementation Mechanisms and Responsibility
It is now possible to conduct public procurement related to the organization and holding of international and interstate cultural events directly through contracts. The levels of such events have also been defined in accordance with established regulatory acts. The law also assigns additional functions to the Republican Council for the development of the creative economy within the framework of the 'Law on the Creative Economy.'
A provision was introduced into the legislation that eliminates the requirement to achieve a minimum income level from creative industry activities when admitting new (registered) entities to residency in the Creative Industrial Park. However, if the conditions stipulated by the law are not met by the end of the fiscal year, the used benefits are subject to recalculation and recovery into the budget according to tax legislation.
Conclusion on the Law's Impact
These provisions apply to relations arising from January 1, 2026. Overall, the law has simplified the process of including new entities in the Creative Industrial Park and created the possibility of incurring expenses related to international and interstate cultural events directly through contracts. Thus, the law contributes to expanding international cooperation in the creative industry, improving the quality and scale of cultural events, and strengthening the country's cultural prestige on the world stage.
