Uzbekistan Rejects Allegations of Land Sales to China
Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister Ilzat Qosimov has denied claims of land sales to China, assuring that foreign investment operates under a strict legal framework. China’s investments focus mainly on industry, while agricultural investment is minimal. Uzbekistan maintains a leasing-only policy for land with no sales permitted. The government urges the public to rely on verified information to combat misinformation.
Recent allegations circulated on social media claiming that China has purportedly purchased significant land in Uzbekistan have prompted a robust response from the Uzbek government. Ilzat Qosimov, Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, categorically denied these assertions via a statement on the ministry’s official Facebook page, emphasizing the absence of land sales to foreign entities.
Qosimov elaborated that attracting foreign investment is vital for Uzbekistan’s sustained economic growth amid increasing global competition for capital. He affirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to an open investment landscape, highlighting that all foreign investments, including those from China, adhere to the same legal framework applicable to all other nations, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Russia, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.
Data indicates that Chinese investments predominantly focus on industry (62%) and the fuel and energy sector (11%), whereas agricultural investments represent just 4%, with a significant portion directed toward manufacturing industries. For instance, despite Uzbekistan housing over 7,600 textile enterprises, only a fraction, 57, incorporate Chinese capital, while enjoying robust exports of textile goods to China.
Concerns about foreign ownership of land are dispelled by Uzbekistan’s legal framework, which allows only land leasing for a maximum of 25 years through open auctions. An example is the Lihua Group, which engages in cotton cultivation in compliance with these regulations, utilizing modern technologies on non-irrigated lands.
Chinese investments have significantly contributed to Uzbekistan’s industrial and technological progress, including the BYD automobile plant in Jizzakh, which has created substantial employment opportunities, primarily for local workers. Furthermore, over 20 energy projects worth approximately $9 billion are currently underway, supporting local employment.
On March 6, 2024, the Uzbek Cadastral Agency reaffirmed that only land leasing is permitted for foreign individuals and entities, as detailed in Article 17 of the Land Code. Moreover, the Law on the Privatization of Non-Agricultural Land explicitly forbids foreign ownership, a principle extended to Uzbek citizens regarding agricultural lands. Authorities have urged the public to consult verified information and avoid disseminating misleading claims.
In summary, the Uzbek government has firmly rejected claims of foreign land sales, particularly to China, clarifying that foreign investment operates under stringent legal guidelines that allow for leasing only. This system reinforces Uzbekistan’s commitment to maintaining a balanced investment climate while promoting domestic industry and employment. Authorities continue to encourage transparency and reliance on verified information as they combat the spread of misinformation.
Original Source: timesca.com
Post Comment