During a government meeting chaired by president Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 5, It was proposed that signs on buildings displaying a company's name and line of business should no longer be classified as advertisements, and the requirement to obtain "passports" for such signage should be abolished.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented with measures aimed at ensuring the sustainability of manufacturing enterprises. The meeting also addressed issues that negatively impact the business climate and provoke complaints from both the public and the business community.
Specifically, the discussion focused on the placement of signage and branding.
"In some instances, signs that simply display a company name, its activity, or a trademark are classified as advertisements. This necessitates obtaining a separate passport and paying the associated fees. This not only creates an additional administrative burden for entrepreneurs but also hinders the visibility of retail and service outlets, affecting foot traffic and revenue," the meeting participants noted.
As a result of the discussions, an initiative was launched to introduce design requirements for advertising in stages—taking into account feedback from business owners—and to simplify the process for placing corporate trademarks on vehicles owned by legal entities.
On February 17, the Tashkent city assembly approved a document introducing a "design code." This framework defines the types and boundaries of public spaces, provides planning instructions, sets rules for urban design elements and commercial properties, and even outlines visual identity guidelines—extending to the selection of specific trees and shrubs.
The document is set to take effect on May 17, three months after its official publication.
However, as early as last November, authorities began removing business signage across the city. The reasons cited were the lack of "advertising space passports"—even though signs smaller than one square meter are not legally classified as outdoor advertising—and the need to bring storefronts into compliance with the new design code.
Business owners had previously proposed abolishing fees for informational signage and requested more time to adapt to the new regulations. They argue that the current requirements impose significant costs, and the premature removal of signs is already resulting in business losses.
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