A representative delegation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the leaders of the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) met to discuss a number of important issues.
For information: the SDA for the OECD is a liaison structure through which the international organization communicates with ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan, as well as coordinates the implementation of joint projects with them. To date, projects are being implemented with the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Antimonopoly Committee, and the State Assets Management Agency.
Since 2017, Uzbekistan has been implementing reforms aimed at increasing the level of attracting direct investment and increasing the contribution of the private sector to the economy. The focus of the reforms is to improve the legal environment for entrepreneurship. Significant achievements included the liberalization of prices and exchange rates, the abolition of excessive licenses and permits, the establishment of the Business Ombudsman, the development of foreign trade relations, and the large-scale optimization of the fiscal system.
But, at the same time, the republic’s competitiveness is still inadequate due to the state’s excessive presence in the economy and complicated administrative procedures. Therefore, it is necessary to draw up an action plan including specific projects on systematic investment policy reviews (IPR) and product management (PMR)», – Amélie Schurich-Rey, OECD Global Relations, and Cooperation Directorate.
In addition, the meeting discussed the need for a plan of action for a systematic review of competition assessment, public procurement, and competitive neutrality. It was suggested that the Action Plan should be included in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Uzbekistan and OECD, developed jointly with SDA.
Press office of the Strategic Development Agency
