President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on 16 October a decision to establish an Investors' Council for the fuel and energy sector during an open dialogue with investors in the sector.
According to the president, implementing energy projects requires substantial capital investments and complex infrastructure. Even a single delay in land allocation, grid connection or the issuance of technical specifications could affect the entire project, he said.
ACWA, Vision Invest, DataVolt, Voltalia and EDF proposed addressing issues as they arise through ongoing dialogue with government agencies.
Taking these proposals into account, the president decided to establish an Investors' Council for the fuel and energy sector. The new body will be chaired by head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva.
“Why am I doing this? To close the gap between investors and the president. Are you okay with that? I’m putting it mildly, and you understand. If I say we have a lot of problems, shortcomings, bureaucracy and corruption, that would also be true. To prevent all of this, I was forced to make this decision. The council’s main task is to listen to you… The head of the Presidential Administration will chair the council, and I will maintain constant oversight,” the head of state said.
The council will promptly address issues faced by investors at every stage of project implementation, from land allocation to the commissioning of energy facilities.
The council’s specific powers, composition and operating procedures have not yet been announced.
President calls for mutual trust with investors
Speaking to representatives of energy companies, Mirziyoyev emphasized that the authorities view energy not merely as one branch of the economy, but as the foundation of the country’s future development and prosperity.
“We view energy as more than just another economic sector. It is a solid foundation for our future and prosperity. We need not just investments, but mutual trust and a genuine partnership. This is the core purpose of our dialogue today,” the president stated.
According to him, every new energy project should bring tangible changes to the regions, improve living standards, create jobs and support further development.
“The main principle of our cooperation is simple: the greater the contribution your investments make to the development of our country, the more opportunities Uzbekistan’s development creates for your success,” the head of state noted.
The president added that genuine partnership requires mutual trust, responsibility and shared benefits.