Uzbekistan Country Gender Assessment: Update

Government Commitments

the official definition of an SMe¹⁰⁴ is reflected in the legal framework of the State Committee on Statistics, which in 2016 adopted a nationwide qualifier of economic activity types based on the european Union’s statistical classification (NaCe):¹⁰⁵ “a micro firm hires from 1 to 20 employees annually. a small business subject hires from 21 to 50 annually.”<sup>106




103</sup> Uzbekistan Sputnik. Online Resource. 2016. The Speech of President I. Karimov: Women are Invaluable Treasure. 5 March. https://ru.sputniknews-uz.com/society/20160305/1949394.html
¹⁰⁴ the definition of small business provided by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan includes micro- firms and small enterprises. the “small private business” (МЧБ) terminology indicates individual or private entrepreneurs
and farmers. adB. 2017. the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan provided data to CGaU in September–October 2017. tashkent. Uzbekistan.
¹⁰⁵ eurostat Methodologies and Working papers. NaCe Rev.2. Statistical classification of economic activities in the european Community. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/5902521/KS-Ra-07-015-eN.pdF
¹⁰⁶ decree of Cabinet of Ministers, #275. 2016. On Measures for Transition to International System of Classification of Kinds of Economic Activities.
36 Uzbekistan Country Gender Assessment Update


the government has not yet developed an official definition of women’s businesses and women’s entrepreneurship. thus, it is not clear whether to classify a women’s business as
(i) a private firm/company registered in the name of women;¹⁰⁷ (ii) an enterprise managed by women; (iii) an enterprise that hires women; or (iv) the involvement of self-employed women in various activities, including farming.


the BWa provides a slightly different definition: “the business is considered ‘women’s’ if a woman is its founder, co-founder, or manager.”¹⁰⁸

the directions of the Strategy of action in 2017–2021 include further protection of the rights and priority role of private ownership, promotion of small business, and private entrepreneurship.

there were 12 legal provisions related to the SMe sector in 2016–2017,¹⁰⁹ with special attention to the development of home-based businesses.¹¹⁰ among the most significant innovations is the establishment of the Small Business and private entrepreneurship Ombudsman Office under the president of Uzbekistan.¹¹¹

Uzbekistan has no legal barriers or restrictions to women’s entrepreneurship. Moreover, special legal provisions focus on women, young girls, and vocational college graduates, including

¹⁰⁷ However, there might be an ambiguity because the business is often owned and run by a man, while the woman is only a formal owner.
¹⁰⁸ adB interview with the BWa chair in 2017 for this CGa update.
¹⁰⁹ the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan #400 (20 January 2016). On Approval of the Customs Code; Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan # 418 (29 december 2016). On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts Related to Adoption of Additional Measures for Accelerated Development of Entrepreneurship, Full Protection of Private Ownership and Qualitative Improvement of the Business Climate; decree of the president #4853 (26 October 2016). On Establishing Free Economic Zones Urgut, Gijduvan, Kokand, Hazarasp; decree of the president #4931 (12 January 2017). On additional measures to activate and expand the activities of free economic zones; decree of the president # 5068 (5 June 2017). On Development of Scientific-Technological and Innovative Entrepreneurship, Creation of Small Innovative Enterprises, Manufacturing