Foreign investors may face stricter limits on accessing agricultural land in Uzbekistan under proposed reforms aimed at strengthening national control and improving land-use efficiency.
The measures were presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a review of ongoing land reform initiatives.
Under the proposed changes, foreign investors will no longer be able to participate directly in auctions for agricultural land. Instead, access will be granted only through a secondary lease mechanism administered by regional authorities and limited to projects with a minimum investment of $10 million.
The reforms also stipulate that only local farmers and entrepreneurs will be eligible to take part in agricultural land auctions. In addition, certain categories of land - including defence, border, forest and historical-cultural areas - will be reserved for Uzbek citizens.
A unified lease period of up to 49 years is also proposed for all types of land, including for foreign investors involved in industrial and construction projects.
The restrictions form part of a wider effort to modernise Uzbekistan’s land management system. Over the past five years, more than 616,000 hectares of land have been allocated through auctions, generating 1.4 trillion soums (around $112 million) in budget revenues.
Officials report that the introduction of market-based allocation has tripled income per hectare, reaching up to 50–60 million soums ($4,000–$4,800).
At the same time, challenges remain. Around 117,000 hectares of land have yet to be allocated, while concerns persist over limited autonomy for land users and inefficiencies in current administrative processes.
To address these issues, authorities plan to auction an additional 100,000 hectares in 2026 under updated conditions, with stronger economic incentives for effective land use.
The government is also proposing to digitalise land administration processes, including lease extensions. Nearly 100,000 hectares of land are approaching the end of their lease terms, prompting calls for a more transparent and streamlined renewal system.
Under the new approach, lease extensions would be processed through public service centres and electronic platforms, with integration between cadastral, agricultural and justice databases.
Agricultural land leases could be extended for up to 30 years and non-agricultural land for up to 49 years, provided there are no tax arrears, legal disputes or cases of illegal construction.
Officials emphasised that while Uzbekistan continues to adopt international best practice and attract foreign investment, safeguarding national interests remains a priority.
The new framework seeks to strike a balance between opening the sector to investment and ensuring that land resources remain under effective domestic control.
The reforms also aim to expand the use of land lease rights as financial instruments, including their use as collateral, while strengthening oversight and accountability in land use.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both...
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are f...
Days after Beijing imposed fresh restrictions on 56 U.S. companies, China's Ministry of Commerce said it remained committed to pursuing tariff cuts an...
Iran and the U.S. are at odds over planned talks in Doha, with Tehran denying any meeting is scheduled despite Washington preparing to send senior env...
Keiko Fujimori has emerged ahead in Peru's presidential run-off after electoral authorities completed the final vote count, bringing weeks of uncertai...
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are facing growing pressure worldwide.
Days after Beijing imposed fresh restrictions on 56 U.S. companies, China's Ministry of Commerce said it remained committed to pursuing tariff cuts and mutually beneficial cooperation with Washington.
Keiko Fujimori has emerged ahead in Peru's presidential run-off after electoral authorities completed the final vote count, bringing weeks of uncertainty closer to an end.
Europe's growing dependence on Azerbaijan for energy and transport is reshaping relations with Baku, even as political tensions with parts of the European Union remain unresolved.
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media.
Rescue teams raced on Sunday to find more survivors of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week, with signs of life bringing occasional relief to a grim quest to whittle down a list of tens of thousands missing.
Eleven people were killed when a small plane carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, local officials said.
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sides are expected to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is going through a “difficult period”, but has learned much from it, according to state news agency TASS.
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are facing growing pressure worldwide.
Europe's growing dependence on Azerbaijan for energy and transport is reshaping relations with Baku, even as political tensions with parts of the European Union remain unresolved.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U.S. official said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call on Monday to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and wider global issues, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
With its EU accession talks frozen and its strategic partnership with Washington suspended, Tbilisi has formalised a new alliance with Astana centred on trade, transport and a shared vision for Eurasia's next major trade corridor.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment