Trucks meeting Euro-5 standards to be exempted from disposal fees for another 3 years

Uzbekistan has extended the exemption from customs duties and disposal fees for trucks that meet Euro-5 and higher environmental standards for another three years. This decision was announced today, February 7, at a videoconference meeting on the development of service sectors.  

Officials emphasized that a well-developed transport infrastructure is essential for economic growth. While transport services grew by 8.6% last year, reaching 145 trillion sums, it was noted that further expansion is needed. To support local freight forwarders in international transport, the government has also exempted them from VAT. The Ministry of Transport aims to increase the share of local enterprises in international transportation to 25% this year and 50% by 2026.  

The "Euro-5" environmental standard regulates the amount of harmful substances in vehicle emissions. The disposal fee is typically charged to ensure environmental safety and reduce the negative impact of vehicle waste. By extending the exemption, authorities aim to promote the use of environmentally friendly trucks.  

Additionally, the government plans to collaborate with private airlines to double air traffic to Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, and Termez. The goal is to serve 15 million passengers this year and increase aviation services by at least 20%.  

It was also highlighted that despite plans to bring six million local and foreign tourists to Khorezm, current passenger traffic remains insufficient. With only 52 flights and 23 trains operating to the region per week, the number of passengers transported annually does not exceed 800,000. Many tourists visiting Bukhara and Samarkand are unable to continue their journey to Khiva due to a lack of direct flights.