Legal basis

Uzbekistan’s licensing regime is governed by the Law on Licensing, Permits and Notifications (No. ZRU-414, 2013, as amended) and sector-specific legislation. The November 2025 Presidential Decree introduced the unified “License” digital platform, streamlining applications across all regulated sectors. Verification against current requirements: lex.uz

Unified digital platform — from 1 January 2026

The “Start a Business in 15 Minutes” system integrates registration, licencing, and permit applications into a single digital window. Company data changes automatically propagate to all associated licences and permits via interagency data exchange. Payments processed via single QR code. Pre-licensing audit available for voluntary compliance verification before application submission.

Foreign companies — equal treatment

Foreign legal entities may apply for licences and permits on equal terms with Uzbek entities across most regulated sectors. Sector-specific restrictions apply in banking (minimum capital requirements in UZS), certain media activities, and strategic subsoil deposits. Foreign EFI-status investors receive additional guarantees against worsening of licensing conditions.

Bond Stone’s licensing track record in Uzbekistan

Bond Stone has advised on regulatory licensing in Uzbekistan across pharmaceutical import and distribution, energy and construction EPC projects, and financial services matters — including multiple international pharmaceutical, EPC, and ADB/World Bank-funded infrastructure mandates. Assadullah Muradov leads the Uzbekistan practice from Tashkent, with 15+ years of experience navigating CBU, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Energy licensing processes.

Pharmaceutical Import Licensing — Multiple International Companies

Pharma · Import Licence · Ministry of Health · Ongoing

Long-term regulatory advisory for multiple international pharmaceutical companies — product registration in the State Register of Medicines, import licences, GMP compliance documentation, distribution agreement structuring under Uzbek civil law, and ASL Belgisi serialisation compliance.

Chinese EPC Contractors — Power Plant Branch & Licence

Construction · EPC · Licensing · Branch Registration

Full-cycle establishment advisory for multiple Chinese EPC contractors — Ministry of Justice branch registration, CBU currency account opening, Ministry of Construction licence application, tax registration, and expatriate work permit compliance for power generation and industrial projects.

Clean Development Mechanism — Kyoto Protocol Registration

CDM · Energy · Ministry of Ecology · Regulatory

Advising on Clean Development Mechanism project registration under the Kyoto Protocol in Uzbekistan — project methodology approval, CDM contract structuring, and mandatory filing with the designated national authority under the Ministry of Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

ADB / World Bank — Procurement & Contract Compliance

ADB · World Bank · FIDIC · Procurement · Multiple

Drafting and reviewing works and consulting contracts for multiple ADB and World Bank-funded infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan — FIDIC Red Book and Yellow Book conditions, multilateral procurement regulation compliance, environmental safeguard documentation, and local regulatory licensing requirements.

PSA Structuring — Oil & Gas Entry

PSA · Oil & Gas · Ministry of Energy · Uzbekneftegaz

Advising an international energy company on production-sharing agreement structuring for an Uzbek oil and gas block — PSA term analysis, cost recovery provisions, taxation treatment under the PSA regime, profit repatriation mechanics, and Ministry of Energy engagement alongside Uzbekneftegaz.

November 2025 Reform — Digital Licensing Platform Advisory

Regulatory Reform · Digital Platform · January 2026

Advising foreign investors on transition to Uzbekistan’s unified digital licensing platform (“Start a Business in 15 Minutes”) operational from 1 January 2026 — pre-licensing audit procedures, automatic licence update mechanics, and revised administrative penalty framework following the Presidential Decree of 14 November 2025.