Exploring competition law developments in Uzbekistan

Exploring Competition Law Developments in Uzbekistan

On 5 March, Kosta Legal, in collaboration with the Eurasian consulting firm Antitrust Advisory and the Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Research Center under the Competition Promotion and Consumer Protection Committee of Uzbekistan, successfully hosted a practical conference titled “Antitrust Regulation in Uzbekistan: Trends, Risks, and Compliance”, attended by some of the country’s largest businesses.

Uzbekistan’s competition legislation is evolving rapidly, with the new Law on Competition having come into force in October 2023, followed by a series of regulations issued by the Cabinet of Ministers in August 2024, which covered areas such as the identification of dominance and concerted practices, digital platforms, and pricing policies. As a result, the role of the Competition Committee in regulating practices has become more pronounced, making the timing of this event especially relevant.

Key speakers from Kosta Legal included partner Maxim Dogonkin and senior associate Aliye Ablyalimova, who discussed the new regulatory framework for dominant companies, superior bargaining power, and the regulation of digital markets. Partner Vazgen Grigoryan shared his practical insights on challenging decisions of the competition authorities through dispute resolution procedures, as well as the new procedural requirements in this regard. Representatives of the Competition Committee outlined future priorities for the development and enforcement of competition legislation, with a particular focus on digital markets. The Committee emphasized its intention to adopt a more proactive approach to enforcing the new competition rules. Speakers from Antitrust Advisory also provided valuable insights into the application of competition law and the introduction of antimonopoly compliance in neighboring jurisdictions.

The event brought together business leaders and legal experts from top companies operating in Uzbekistan, including Beeline, Coca-Cola, Click, Philip Morris, UzBAT, Uzbektelecom, Uzcard, Uzum, and Yandex, facilitating a dynamic exchange of perspectives on antitrust compliance and regulatory challenges.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants and speakers for their engagement and valuable contributions.