The Presidential Resolution “On urgent measures to improve the efficiency of water resources use” was adopted on April 1, 2023.

According to the resolution, from April 1, 2023, the procedure for state support for the introduction of water-saving technologies in the cultivation of agricultural products is established, according to which:

up to 50 percent of the collateral for commercial bank loans, but in an amount not exceeding 2.5 billion UZS, is provided based on a guarantee from the State Fund for Support of Entrepreneurship Activities;

to cover the part of the interest rate exceeding the basic rate, but not exceeding 30 percent of the basic rate on loans allocated by commercial banks in national currency, the interest rate of which does not exceed 1.5 times the size of the main rate of the Central Bank, compensation is provided at the expense of the State Fund for Support of Entrepreneurship Activities.

By March 1, 2024, a pilot project will be implemented in Kasbi district of Kashkadarya region to digitalize the management of all water intake centers and deliver water to users.

The information system “Suv Hisobi” will be created, which provides the opportunity to fill out an electronic form at the end of each month and confirm with an electronic digital signature the issued acts between water supply organizations and water consumers.

The procedure is established, according to which, from January 1, 2025, the “Suv Hisobi” system, the practice of automatic tax reporting by tax authorities based on data provided by “Suv Hisobi”, is being introduced in all regions of the country when calculating taxes for the use of water resources in irrigation of agricultural land.

By August 2023, the allocation of agricultural producers who have implemented water-saving technologies and received 50 percent of the subsidy funds in 2022, the remaining 50 percent of the subsidy funds determined depending on the use of systems will be provided based on the conclusion of the working groups of the districts.

By May 1, 2023, a proposal will be introduced to strengthen responsibility for the inefficient use of water resources and illegal operation of hydraulic structures of water management facilities.

UzA