BYD has appealed to the government of Uzbekistan asking to limit “disordered” import of electric cars into the country, according to the presidential decree dated March 18, approving the investment agreement for the establishment of electric and hybrid vehicle production and their components in Uzbekistan.
The decree notes the request of BYD, the investor, to the government to “limit the disordered import of electric vehicles that are unsuitable for the local climate and road conditions and lack official warranty”.
The president directed the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade as well as Uzavtosanoat to submit proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers by July 1. These proposals are aimed at implementing the investor’s request to regulate the import of electric and hybrid cars bearing the BYD brand in accordance with the current legislation, including competition law and principles of the World Trade Organization.
Reminding that Uzavtosanoat and BYD Europe B. V. (Netherlands) established a joint venture BYD Uzbekistan Factory to produce electric cars, with shares of 60% and 40% respectively. The authorized capital constitutes 55 billion soums (approximately $4.4 million, according to the CBU rates as of March 19).
During his state visit to China in January, the president visited BYD headquarters and, together with the company, launched a project to assemble hybrid and electric cars in the Jizzakh region. At the meeting, the parties agreed to increase production capacity to 500,000 units in the near future. The president also supported the company’s plans to start assembling BYD electric buses in Uzbekistan.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev also directed to accelerate projects in the electric car industry, as well as to localize components for electric cars with Chinese BYD.
In late December, Gazeta.uz reported on the development of a draft government decree, which aimed to tighten the rules for importing cars and electric vehicles. Specifically, it proposed banning individuals from importing cars for commercial purposes from 2024. Additionally, it suggested returning the practice of selling new foreign cars exclusively through authorized dealers. However, the document was not adopted.
