Our People > Sadokat Jalolova

Sadokat Jalolova

Journalist

Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam on the Coursera platform.

Articles

Tax Policy

Uzbekistan Bank Data Plan Sparks Privacy and Tax Debate

A draft government resolution that would establish unified rules for information sharing between banks and tax authorities has triggered widespread public debate in Uzbekistan, with supporters describing it as a necessary step to combat the shadow economy while critics warn it could weaken constitutional protections for banking privacy. The proposal, published for public discussion by Uzbekistan’s State Tax Committee, aims to regulate how banks provide information to tax authorities. According to the committee, the document does not introduce new powers for tax officials or abolish bank secrecy. Instead, it seeks to define the procedures, deadlines, formats, and electronic methods for exchanging information already permitted under existing legislation. The proposal attracted significant attention after some media reports suggested it would allow tax authorities to gain broad access to citizens’ bank accounts and deposits. Responding to the growing discussion, the State Tax Committee issued a public explanation, arguing that these interpretations do not accurately reflect the draft’s content. “The draft does not grant tax authorities new powers, does not abolish bank secrecy, and does not provide free access to the bank accounts of citizens or businesses,” the committee said. It stressed that banks would continue to provide information only in cases established by law. The committee pointed to Article 134 of the Tax Code and the Law on Bank Secrecy, which already allow banks to share information related to taxation with state tax authorities under specific legal procedures. It also emphasized that any information received by tax authorities is itself protected as tax secrecy and cannot legally be disclosed or used for purposes other than tax administration. Officials further argued that similar information-sharing mechanisms exist in many countries, including members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Uzbekistan has also joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, requiring the country to develop clear and transparent rules in this area. Despite these assurances, the proposal quickly became one of the country’s most discussed regulatory initiatives. One of the most controversial provisions concerns peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. Under the draft, banks would report cases where an individual’s bank card or electronic wallet receives transfers totaling at least 500 times the base calculation amount during a calendar month from people other than close relatives. The measure is intended to identify cases where personal bank cards are allegedly being used for unregistered commercial activity. Economist Otabek Bakirov criticized the proposal, arguing that it contradicts constitutional guarantees protecting banking secrecy. Referring to Article 41 of Uzbekistan’s Constitution, he noted that the confidentiality of bank operations, deposits, and accounts is guaranteed by law. Bakirov also recalled that previous attempts to introduce similar monitoring of P2P transactions had been abandoned following constitutional reforms. “I hope this attempt will also fail,” he wrote, calling on parliament, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, journalists, and the public not to remain silent during the discussion. Public comments submitted during the consultation have echoed many of these concerns. According...

13 hours ago

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan and Georgia Deepen Ties as Tashkent Eyes Black Sea Routes

Uzbekistan and Georgia have elevated their relations to a strategic partnership as Tashkent seeks wider access to Black Sea ports and new routes linking Central Asia with European markets. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Mirziyoyev traveled to Georgia on a July 2-3 state visit aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, transport, investment, and regional connectivity. The visit concluded with the signing of a Strategic Partnership Declaration and a series of agreements designed to deepen political and economic ties. Uzbekistan and Georgia established diplomatic relations on August 19, 1994. Their cooperation was formalized a year later with the signing of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation. While political dialogue has continued over the years, bilateral engagement has accelerated since 2022 through regular presidential meetings, visits by prime ministers, sessions of the intergovernmental commission, and consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries. Last year, on March 5, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze visited Tashkent, where the two sides discussed expanding cooperation. The latest visit built on those discussions. According to the Uzbek presidential press service, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, investment, transport, tourism, and humanitarian exchanges. Bilateral trade reached $270 million in 2025, and has already exceeded $100 million since the beginning of this year. Both governments adopted the goal of increasing annual trade to $1 billion through a dedicated roadmap, reducing trade imbalances, and expanding exports through reciprocal industrial exhibitions. Transport and logistics featured prominently in the talks. The leaders agreed to expand the use of Georgia’s Poti and Batumi ports for Uzbek cargo and supported plans to establish a logistics hub that would include an industrial zone and a permanent showroom for Uzbek products. Mirziyoyev also proposed linking the future China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, a move that could create a new transport corridor connecting Central Asia with European markets. The two countries also agreed to establish a joint investment fund and launch new industrial projects in agriculture, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, food processing, construction materials, digital technologies, digital banking, and tourism. Uzbekistan will also open an embassy in Georgia, while educational and tourism forums are scheduled to take place later this year. Political analyst Mukhtor Nazirov believes the visit represents more than a routine diplomatic exchange. Speaking to local media, he argued that Georgia is increasingly becoming Uzbekistan’s gateway to Europe as Tashkent seeks to diversify its foreign trade routes. “Today, a country’s economic opportunities are largely determined by its transport corridors and access to foreign markets,” Nazirov said. “The signing of the Strategic Partnership Declaration is therefore an important event in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.” Nazirov noted that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, commonly known as the Middle Corridor, has become increasingly important for Uzbekistan. According to him, the route carried 12% of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade cargo in 2021, but that share has now risen to 28%. Official figures show that 1.2 million tons of cargo were transported along the corridor in 2025, while container train transit times to...

4 days ago

Central Asian migrants

Russia Still Dominates Uzbek Remittances Despite Falling Share

Remittances to Uzbekistan continued to rise in the first quarter of 2026, even as Russia’s share of migrant transfers declined, according to a new labor market review by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Uzbek migrant workers sent home $3.8 billion in the first three months of the year, up 13% from the same period in 2025. Russia remained by far the largest source of those transfers, accounting for 72.4% of the total, but its share fell from 77.6% a year earlier. More than 1.63 million Uzbek citizens traveled abroad in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 11.6% compared with the same period last year, according to the Central Bank. The figure covers outbound travel by Uzbek citizens, rather than labor migration alone, but it points to continued growth in population mobility. Air travel also expanded sharply during the first three months of the year, with 2.25 million passengers transported by air, up 32% year-on-year. Russia remained the main destination for Uzbek labor migrants, although the number of citizens working there under the country’s patent system declined. A work patent is the permit used by many visa-free foreign nationals, including Uzbeks, to work legally in Russia, with workers making regular tax-style payments to maintain the document. According to the Central Bank, 1.34 million Uzbek citizens were working in Russia under work patents in the first quarter, down 8.8% from the previous quarter and 1.8% compared with the same period in 2025. The bank said the decline reflected seasonal factors as well as changing conditions in external labor markets. Those "changing conditions" include a weaker ruble and tighter migration enforcement in Russia, where the price of a work patent has also risen. In Moscow, for example, the monthly payment required to maintain a migrant work patent increased from 8,900 rubles (about $120) to 10,000 rubles (about $135) from January 2026. There has also been a gradual opening of alternative destinations for Uzbek workers. Citing Turkey’s migration authority, the Central Bank said the number of Uzbek citizens in Turkey holding official residence or migration permits reached nearly 70,000 in the first quarter, up 14% year-on-year. The number of Uzbek nationals residing in South Korea also continued to grow, reaching 99,600. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s share of remittances rose from 3.1% to 4.1%, Europe’s increased from 2.3% to 3.3%, and South Korea’s rose from 3.5% to 4.1%. The combined share of other countries climbed from 13.6% to 16.2%. The figures suggest that Uzbek labor migration is becoming more geographically varied, but Russia remains dominant. Its 72.4% share of remittances is still more than 17 times the share of Kazakhstan or South Korea, and almost 22 times Europe’s share. The latest figures build on a broader trend identified by the Central Bank last year. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Uzbek migrant workers sent home $4.8 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up 21.4% year-on-year. At the time, the Central Bank linked the increase to stable exchange rates in host countries, rising wages, and continued economic activity, while noting particularly strong growth...

7 days ago

Rogun Hydropower Plant

World Bank Approves New $300 Million Grant for Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Project

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a second phase of financing for Tajikistan’s Rogun Hydropower Plant, providing a $300 million grant to support construction of what is expected to become the largest power station in Central Asia. According to the World Bank, the new funding from the International Development Association will finance civil works, electromechanical equipment for electricity generation, project implementation support, and environmental and social measures, including resettlement assistance and livelihood restoration for affected households. The financing will also support reservoir monitoring, forecasting systems, and flood-risk management for downstream communities. The Rogun project is expected to generate 14,400 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, equivalent to roughly 60% of Tajikistan’s current electricity generation. The World Bank said the plant will help reduce the country’s chronic winter electricity shortages, improve access to reliable power for around 10 million people, create more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, and enable electricity exports to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. “In addition to reducing chronic power shortages, increased access to reliable electricity from the Rogun HPP will help power economic transformation and create jobs in Tajikistan,” said Najy Benhassine, the World Bank’s director for Central Asia. “By increasing the supply of clean electricity, this transformational project will help power homes, businesses, and public services, creating employment opportunities in the country.” The World Bank also said increased electricity exports would strengthen regional energy trade. “By facilitating electricity exports, the Rogun HPP will help revitalize the regional power market, allowing Central Asian countries to use their energy assets more efficiently,” said Charles Cormier, the bank’s director for infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia. “Enhanced regional connectivity is expected to reduce supply constraints in the region and contribute to improved reliability and energy security.” At the request of the government of Tajikistan, the World Bank is coordinating international support for the project through the Rogun Coordination Group. The group includes development partners that have approved or expressed interest in supporting the project, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, OPEC Fund, and several Gulf-based development funds. The latest financing comes as the project continues to face environmental scrutiny. Last year, The Times of Central Asia reported that the World Bank’s Inspection Panel had registered and reviewed a complaint concerning the bank’s involvement in the Rogun project. The complaint was submitted by the environmental coalition Rivers Without Boundaries on behalf of communities living downstream in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The complainants argued that the project’s environmental and social assessments were outdated and did not fully evaluate potential downstream impacts. Environmental groups warned that filling the Rogun reservoir could reduce water flow to the Amu Darya delta, potentially accelerating desertification, increasing soil salinity, and affecting livelihoods in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In November 2025, environmental groups criticized the World Bank Board after it declined to authorize a full investigation, despite an Inspection Panel recommendation for a comprehensive review. The World Bank has said the project is subject to environmental and social safeguards,...

7 days ago

Investor Perception

Foreign Investors Remain Interested in Central Asia Despite Volatility, Survey Finds

International investors continue to view Central Asia and the Caucasus as attractive destinations despite heightened geopolitical tensions and market volatility, according to the third annual Investor Perception Report released by Montfort Eurasia. The survey, conducted among institutional investors in the United Kingdom and the United States, found that interest in the region remains high. Overall, 66.3% of respondents reported either strong or moderate interest in investing in Central Asia and the Caucasus, suggesting that the region is increasingly being considered as part of broader emerging-market strategies rather than as a niche destination. Among UK investors, 67.1% expressed strong or moderate interest, while the figure stood at 65.5% in the U.S. Around one-third of respondents in both countries reported very strong interest in the region, with 32.8% in the UK and 34.6% in the U.S. Recent U.S. commercial engagement in Central Asia has also moved from dialogue toward specific deals. The Montfort Eurasia report suggests that investor attitudes have shifted over the past three years. While early interest was driven largely by curiosity, investors are now approaching the region with more detailed financial analysis and due diligence. “Two years ago, the challenge for Central Asia and the Caucasus was getting noticed. Today it is being understood,” said Eleanor Kramers, managing director of Montfort Eurasia. “Investors have arrived and they have arrived as analysts, reaching for financial data and due diligence ahead of headlines. The region has answered their early interest with proof rather than promise, from international listings to sovereign-rating upgrades. The opportunity now is to meet a more serious, more demanding audience with the depth and consistency of information it expects.” One of the clearest signs of that shift is where investors obtain information. Financial analysis has overtaken international news media as the leading source of intelligence about the region, cited by 68.6% of UK respondents and 56.6% of U.S. respondents. According to the report, investors are increasingly evaluating the region through company performance, financial statements, and sector data rather than through media coverage alone. Although interest remains high, the report found that investors’ knowledge of the region has stopped improving. Respondents rated their understanding at 6.63 out of 10 in the UK and 6.79 out of 10 in the U.S., slightly below last year’s peak. Factual awareness also weakened. Only 29% of UK investors correctly estimated trade volumes between the UK and the region, compared with 39% a year earlier, while roughly one-quarter of respondents in both countries could not identify the region’s most business-friendly country. Political and economic risks also remain key considerations. Investment security ranked as investors’ biggest concern, cited by 72.3% of UK respondents and 64.7% of U.S. respondents. Political stability followed closely behind, with 56.2% of UK investors and 52.9% of U.S. investors identifying it as a major factor. Among British respondents, improved political stability was the most frequently cited condition for increasing investment in the region.

7 days ago

Tech Startups

Uzbekistan Expands President Tech Award to $5 Million, Launches $1 Million AI Startup Competition

IT Park Uzbekistan has opened a new season of the President Tech Award, the country’s largest technology competition, and launched a separate national contest focused on artificial intelligence, the President AI Award. The official presentation of both programs took place on July 1 during the Powering the Startup Ecosystem event at the Congress Hall of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies. Organizers said the competitions will support technology startups through grants, venture investment, mentoring, and access to international markets. Azamat Karamatov, CEO of IT Park Uzbekistan, said the decision to increase the President Tech Award prize pool to $5 million and create the President AI Award reflected investment in a new generation of technology companies. “Our task is to create conditions under which talented developers and entrepreneurs can turn ideas into global products and contribute to the development of Uzbekistan’s digital economy,” he said. Launched on a presidential initiative, the President Tech Award has become one of Uzbekistan’s main platforms for technology projects. Organizers said more than 6,000 people took part in the most recent cycle and 862 startup teams competed, nearly double the previous season’s figures. Since the competition began in 2023, more than 13,000 people have applied and around 1,800 teams have been formed. Of the 45 projects that previously received awards, winners have created more than 400 jobs and attracted more than $10 million in post-competition investment. For 2026, the President Tech Award prize fund has been increased from $1 million to $5 million. The total includes $1 million in non-repayable grants and $4 million in venture investment for selected startups. The program will include three tracks. Early-stage teams will enter an incubation track focused on product-market fit and international mentoring, with 25 winners sharing $1 million in grants. Startups in the growth stage will compete for $1.5 million in investment through the acceleration track. A third track, Best Startup Project, will offer $2.5 million in investment from IT Park Ventures across 10 sectors, with winners selected by an international jury. The President AI Award is Uzbekistan’s first state competition dedicated fully to AI startups. It is designed to identify and develop AI projects that offer practical solutions for economic and social needs. The competition will focus on public administration, industry and entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and the green economy and agritech. After selection, 25 startups, five from each field, will enter an acceleration program. They will work with mentors and experts to refine their products, prepare investor pitches, and raise their profile in Uzbekistan. The total investment pool for the President AI Award is $1 million, with 15 winners to receive financing across the five fields. Awards will be distributed as investments in two tranches tied to agreed performance indicators. Each field will have three winners, with $100,000 for first place, $60,000 for second, and $40,000 for third. Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, traced the awards to a shift in national policy. Uzbekistan initially promoted an outsourcing-focused IT sector, he said, but soon saw a rapid rise...

1 week ago

Education reform

World Bank Approves $100 Million to Improve Primary Education in Uzbekistan

The World Bank has approved $100 million in concessional financing to help Uzbekistan improve the quality of primary education, strengthen foundational learning skills, and expand school capacity in some of the country’s most underserved regions, the bank announced. The funding, provided by the International Development Association, will support the Transforming Public Education for Economic Growth (BILIM) Program. The initiative will also receive a $5 million grant from the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd), marking the first partnership between IFFEd and the World Bank. Together with $273 million from Uzbekistan's government, the program has a total budget of $378 million. According to the World Bank, Uzbekistan’s public education system is under increasing pressure from rapid population growth and internal migration. School enrollment is expected to exceed 7.6 million students in 2026, requiring the construction of around 300 new schools every year to meet demand. Although more than 99% of primary school-age children are enrolled in school, learning outcomes in reading and mathematics remain below international standards. The bank also noted that teaching methods and teacher professional development require significant improvement. “Strengthening foundational skills in primary school, including reading, mathematics, and socio-emotional skills, is central to further building Uzbekistan’s human capital base and advancing its development,” said Najy Benhassine, the World Bank’s Division Director for Central Asia. “These skills will help children develop more advanced competencies and prepare them for the rapidly evolving jobs market. They are also critical to the country’s economic growth, which depends on a workforce capable of driving innovation.” The BILIM Program will be implemented by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Karakalpakstan and the Khorezm, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, and Navoiy regions. These areas account for about 45% of the country’s schools and face some of the greatest shortages of education infrastructure and learning resources. By 2030, the program aims to train 50,000 teachers, school leaders, and education administrators and create 27,000 student places through school construction and expansion. It will also improve education planning through better data collection and management. Around 2 million primary school students, half of them girls, are expected to benefit from the reforms. The financing adds to the World Bank’s existing education work in Uzbekistan. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the bank approved a $250 million loan last December for the Edulmkon Program, a three-year initiative designed to expand access to higher and vocational education. Scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2028, that program is expected to benefit around 600,000 young people. About 80% of the financing will go toward tuition loans for students from low-income families and women, who continue to face significant barriers to higher education.

1 week ago

Fuel prices

AI-92 Gasoline Price in Uzbekistan Hits Record High Amid Regional Fuel Pressures

The price of AI-92 gasoline on Uzbekistan’s Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange has reached a record high, according to exchange data reviewed by Uzbek business outlet Spot. On June 29, the exchange price for one metric ton of AI-92 gasoline climbed to 13.919 million UZS, approximately $1,160, up 1.1% from the previous trading session and the highest level ever recorded. Since the beginning of June, the fuel price has risen by 11.8%, or nearly 1.5 million UZS, approximately $125 per ton. Spot reported that the sharpest increase came during the first week of the month. Between June 4 and June 8, the price jumped from 12.476 million UZS, approximately $1,040, to 13.788 million UZS, approximately $1,149, an increase of 10.5% in just four days. Prices then remained relatively stable at around 13.7 million UZS to 13.8 million UZS, approximately $1,141-$1,150, before climbing to a new record at the end of the month. The rise in prices coincided with a sharp drop in supply on the exchange. Available volumes fell from 3,791 tons on June 1 to 1,898 tons by June 23, nearly halving over three weeks. Although supply had recovered to 3,123.2 tons by June 29, prices remained at record levels. The increase comes as Russia experiences fuel shortages linked to unplanned refinery maintenance following Ukrainian drone strikes. Several Russian oil refineries have undergone emergency repairs after the attacks, reducing fuel production and tightening supplies across the region. Russia also introduced a full ban on gasoline exports on April 1. However, the restriction does not apply to deliveries made under intergovernmental agreements, meaning fuel exports to Uzbekistan are not directly affected. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Russia has discussed importing about 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline from Kazakhstan after refinery outages cut gasoline production by roughly 25% year-on-year by late June. The talks marked an unusual step for Russia, traditionally one of the region’s main fuel exporters.

1 week ago

Child Online Safety

Uzbekistan Weighs Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 16

Uzbekistan is considering introducing legal restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 16, adding its name to a growing list of Central Asian countries debating how to protect minors in the digital age. According to Gazeta.uz, the proposal was announced by Minister of Preschool and School Education E’zozxon Karimova following an event at the ministry on June 26. Speaking to the publication, Karimova said discussions had already taken place with members of parliament and the Senate, and that a draft law could soon be prepared for public consultation. “We are currently thinking about this issue. We have discussed it with our deputies and senators. We want to prepare a draft law and submit it for public discussion. I believe we should also have such regulations,” Karimova said. The proposal comes as governments across the region grapple with concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time. Karimova stressed that the objective is not to remove smartphones from children’s lives but to encourage responsible use through legal safeguards and stronger enforcement. “We live in the age of technology. We cannot simply take phones away from our children. Of course, they need them. But there should also be a culture and limits to their use,” she said. She noted that Uzbekistan already requires students to leave their phones before entering school and has rules governing student behavior. However, she acknowledged that enforcement remains inconsistent. “These rules work in some places and not in others. We now want to strengthen enforcement and legally restrict children under the age of 16 from using social media,” Karimova added. The debate mirrors similar discussions elsewhere in Central Asia. Earlier this year, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan was considering legislative amendments to prohibit children under 16 from registering on social media platforms, while exempting messaging services. Lawmakers in Kazakhstan say the proposals are intended to shield children from harmful content, including violence and pornography, while reducing cyberbullying. According to Kazakhstani officials, approximately 200 cases of bullying and cyberbullying involving children had already been recorded in 2025, prompting calls for tighter regulation. The government has also been exploring age verification mechanisms, including SIM card registration for younger users, alongside expanded digital literacy education in schools. A similar debate emerged in neighboring Tajikistan last year. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, lawmakers proposed banning social media access for children under 14 and requiring written parental consent for teenagers aged 14 to 17. While supporters argued that stricter controls were necessary to protect children from harmful online content, critics maintained that digital literacy, parental involvement, and education would be more effective than blanket restrictions. Uzbekistan has not yet published a draft law, and Karimova indicated that any proposal would first undergo public discussion before being submitted for legislative consideration.

1 week ago

Border Crossings

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Upgrade Two Border Crossings to International Status

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are moving to improve cross-border travel and trade by upgrading two road border checkpoints to international status and extending their operating hours to 24 hours a day. According to Kazinform, Kazakhstan’s Senate has ratified a protocol amending the 2006 agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on border crossing points. The amendments change the status of the Syrdarya-Malik and Tselinny-Oqoltin checkpoints from bilateral crossings, which serve only the two countries, to international border posts open to travelers from other countries. The protocol also replaces the current daylight-only schedule with round-the-clock service at both crossings and expands the categories of vehicles permitted to use them. Under the new rules, the Tselinny-Oqoltin crossing will accommodate passenger vehicles, empty freight trucks, oversized and heavy vehicles, as well as commercial cargo. The Syrdarya-Malik crossing will be open to passenger cars and empty freight vehicles but will not handle commercial goods. According to the Senate committee’s conclusion, the changes, together with the ongoing modernization of border infrastructure along the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan frontier, are expected to distribute passenger and freight traffic more evenly and improve the efficiency of border operations. The move has also received support in Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament. As reported by 24KZ, deputies in the Mazhilis approved the amendments. Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said the measures would increase checkpoint capacity, make border crossings more convenient for travelers, and support tourism and transit links between the two neighboring countries. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport added that implementing the changes will not require additional spending from the state budget.

1 week ago

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