TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 25. Uzbekistan’s
Ministry of Economy and Finance hosted a delegation from Russia’s
Financial Research Institute from May 19–22 for discussions on
public financial management, tax policy, and budget reforms,
Trend reports via the
Uzbek ministry.
The visit took place under a bilateral cooperation program
between the two countries’ finance ministries, and was organized by
the Financial Research Institute serves as the Russian implementing
body for the initiative.
During the visit, Russian and Uzbek officials held a series of
working meetings and expert seminars covering budget transparency,
public procurement, tax policy, internal auditing and the
efficiency of public spending.
On May 20, Acting Director of Russia’s Financial Research
Institute Gleb Pokatovich and program curator Tatyana Yaglina met
with Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Ahadbek
Haydarov to review the preliminary results of the three-year
cooperation program. Senior Uzbek officials responsible for nine
areas of bilateral cooperation also participated in the
discussions.
Pokatovich additionally held talks with Dilshod Sultonov, deputy
director of Uzbekistan’s Fiscal Analysis Institute, which operates
under the Ministry of Economy and Finance and focuses on reducing
the shadow economy and improving tax and customs
administration.
A series of thematic seminars were organized throughout the
visit. One seminar focused on improving Uzbekistan’s budget process
through program-based budgeting mechanisms. Another addressed
cooperation between internal audit services, financial control
bodies and the Accounts Chamber, as well as strengthening internal
audit systems within local government structures.
Officials and experts also discussed ways to improve the
transparency of Uzbekistan’s budget process and public financial
reporting in line with international standards.
At the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement,
participants reviewed proposals aimed at expanding the use of
lifecycle contracts within Uzbekistan’s public procurement
system.
Additional sessions focused on medium-term tax policy reforms
designed to increase budget revenues and improve business
transparency.
Russian experts presented recommendations on tax regimes for
self-employed citizens and individual entrepreneurs, the possible
introduction of a digital services tax and taxation mechanisms for
e-commerce.
Another seminar addressed methods for evaluating the
effectiveness of public spending, including programs aimed at
developing mahallas and regional infrastructure projects.
The discussions also covered improvements to Uzbekistan’s
regulatory framework and regional performance ranking systems.