Uzbekistan launches NarxStat platform for publishing price statistics

Uzbekistan has introduced the first phase of the World Business Integration Platform (wbip.uz) — a digital service created to assist foreign companies in finding partners, investors, and clients.

The launch was announced by Mukhtar Umarov, Chairman of the Assembly of the Economy of Uzbekistan, during the FINOBOD 2026 forum in Tashkent. The project was presented on November 13 at a plenary session titled 'Digital Uzbekistan – an Innovation Hub of Central Asia.' According to Umarov, the platform is part of the OS Assembly System cluster, which uses artificial intelligence to unite 65 industry associations representing about 100,000 companies.

Additionally, a separate platform called Tijorat Markazi is available for Uzbek entrepreneurs, designed for selling goods, attracting investments, and hiring personnel. Umarov reported that over 2,000 Chinese companies have already applied to participate in this international platform.

He noted that this service can facilitate cooperation with partners from China, Japan, Russia, and European countries. A session moderator emphasized that Uzbekistan previously lacked a single platform of this scale.

According to data presented at the meeting, as of September 1, 2026, approximately 21,500 enterprises with foreign investments were operating in Uzbekistan, of which about 17,000 were wholly foreign-owned. Chinese companies constituted the largest group, followed by Russian, Turkish, Kazakh, and South Korean enterprises.

Ildus Khalitov, representative of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia in Uzbekistan, stated that more than 3,500 companies with Russian capital operate in the country, accounting for nearly 20% of all enterprises with foreign investments. He added that Russian companies are increasingly entering Uzbekistan with the aim of localizing production and gaining access to third-country markets. He also mentioned that one Russian-Uzbek technological park is already fully occupied by local companies.

Timur Kornilov, Managing Director of the Skolkovo Foundation, reported that about 70 out of 3,500 resident companies of the foundation operate in Uzbekistan, calling this a relatively small number. In September, the foundation signed an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of Uzbekistan and approved a roadmap for creating an artificial intelligence center in Tashkent, scheduled for 2027–2028.

Kornilov pointed to the limited size of the Uzbek venture market as one of the factors slowing down the country's development as a regional innovation hub. He estimated the market at approximately 145–150 million US dollars, noting the presence of about 13 funds. Furthermore, he highlighted the shortage of qualified personnel and the need to harmonize business conditions in the region.

Ekaterina Yelmanova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Rosbank, reported that the bank has been using its proprietary AI-based end-to-end platform since 2023, covering processes from data processing to model management. She specified that about two-thirds of the bank's architecture consists of internal developments, and Rosbank is ready to cooperate with Uzbek partners in the field of banking platforms and artificial intelligence.

Hasan Rakhmatov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Asia Alliance Bank, stated that clients expect integrated platforms and fast solutions, while speed and security remain key requirements.

Uzbekistan plans to transition from the current Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) emissions system to implementing national carbon pricing mechanisms and industrial decarbonization measures.

Discussions on this topic took place at a seminar on November 3, which included representatives from state ministries, agencies, and industrial enterprises. The event was organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, the Green Economy Projects Center under the ministry, and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the 'Green Industrialization' project. International expert Zsolt Lengyel participated in the seminar.

The main focus of the discussions was on the practical application of Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) and carbon pricing mechanisms for industrial modernization, accelerating the decarbonization process, and assisting Uzbekistan in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) within its climate commitments.

Participants studied the experience of European Union countries in implementing MRV systems and carbon regulation mechanisms. Using the example of the German agency DEHSt, the seminar presented the principles of emissions trading, database management, emissions monitoring, and independent data verification, as well as the allocation of emission quotas, including auctions.

Differences between emission quotas and carbon credits obtained through individual projects were also discussed, along with measures to prevent double counting. Participants examined how revenues from carbon pricing can be directed towards industrial decarbonization and stimulating green investments.

Another important topic was the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its potential impact on the competitiveness of Uzbek producers, especially manufacturers of mineral fertilizers and other export-oriented products. The seminar also addressed issues ensuring that carbon-related payments contribute to the development of the country's domestic economy.

At the conclusion of the discussions, participants emphasized the need to create a reliable historical database of emissions at the enterprise level. Such data will serve as the basis for developing rules for allocating emission quotas and introducing national carbon pricing mechanisms.

The Accounts Chamber of Uzbekistan has launched an information system for planning the financing of preschool educational institutions and monitoring expenditures online.

The new function was integrated into the remote audit system. It allows authorities to determine the budgetary needs of each preschool organization, compare them with allocated funds, and analyze actual spending.

The system combines data from the resources of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, as well as utility providers. Data exchange has been established between the relevant state bodies and organizations.

The system processes information on the financial needs of kindergartens, allocated funds, and actual expenses. Comparing these indicators is expected to help timely identify risks of underfunding and unjustified increases in costs.

It is also anticipated that this tool will improve the accuracy of budget planning and resource allocation by taking into account the needs of individual preschool institutions.

The system was presented at the Accounts Chamber. Participants included Obid Khakimov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Education Reform; Erkindjon Turdimov, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Science, as well as senior officials from the Accounts Chamber.

Participants discussed how this system can be used to finance preschool education and increase the efficiency of public spending. Representatives of the ministries were given the opportunity to test the new functionality in practice. A plan for further system improvement is scheduled after the trial period.