Uzbek electronics may be recognized in the EU

Uzbekistan is working to align its technical standards with those of Europe. The Agency for Technical Regulation of Uzbekistan is establishing a conformity assessment system with European partners. As a result, products manufactured in Uzbekistan will be eligible for the “CE” mark, confirming compliance with European Union requirements. This initiative was discussed on October 8 during a presentation on the further development of the electrical engineering industry and the expansion of export potential, which President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed.

In the first nine months of this year, production in the electrical engineering sector increased by 16.3 percent, reaching 34 trillion soums, while exports totaled $970 million. However, many opportunities in the sector remain untapped. In particular, increasing the share of high-value-added products, deepening copper processing, and diversifying exports remain key challenges. Currently, only 60 percent of copper products exported are high-value-added.

Proposals were presented to encourage deeper processing and provide additional support for local producers. These include offering discounts on copper purchases, subsidizing over 5 percent of loan interest through the state, and providing tax and customs incentives.

It was emphasized that the industry should not only continue producing traditional goods but also expand into high-tech areas such as electronics and semiconductors.

Due to new projects, copper production in Uzbekistan is expected to reach 250,000 tons in the coming years and 500,000 tons by 2030. Officials also shared information about initiatives to use this raw material base for producing high-value-added goods, including servers, industrial electronics, air conditioners, solar panels, control and measurement devices, automation systems, and smart cards. In total, 157 projects worth $2.1 billion have been developed in this direction, which are expected to create 14,500 new jobs.

The presentation also reviewed the activities of electrotechnical technoparks across the regions.

Meanwhile, opportunities for exporting Uzbek products to international markets are expanding. The Institute of Standards of Uzbekistan has become a member body of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s assessment scheme, ensuring that certificates for locally produced goods are recognized in 53 countries.

The Agency for Technical Regulation is now establishing a conformity assessment system with European partners, enabling Uzbek products to receive the “CE” mark, confirming compliance with EU standards. This move is expected to at least double the volume of exports to Europe.

President Mirziyoyev gave specific instructions to accelerate the implementation of planned measures and projects, sustain export growth, and expand access to new markets.