Tashkent, June 10, 2025 — Speaking at the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum, Deputy Business Ombudsman J. Urunov emphasized Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening investor confidence and safeguarding entrepreneurial rights through legal and institutional mechanisms.

The session, titled “Resolving International Disputes in Uzbekistan: Tashkent International Commercial Court,” brought together policymakers, investors, and legal experts to discuss Uzbekistan’s evolving dispute resolution framework and the role of the Business Ombudsman Institute in this landscape.

Urunov highlighted that the Business Ombudsman Institute, established in 2017 under the directive of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has become a central pillar in protecting both domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors. The institution operates under a dedicated legal framework, including Article 33 of the Law “On Investments and Investment Activities”, which grants it broad powers in representing business interests before state authorities and in court. To date, the Institute has received nearly 50,000 appeals, resolving over 40,000 cases and taking 14,000+ legal actions against government entities. These include over 800 lawsuits, 1,000 representations, and more than 11,000 administrative cases. As a result, more than 1,300 officials have been disciplined, and 12,600 hectares of land seized unlawfully were returned to rightful business owners.

In addressing concerns about the Institute’s capacity, Urunov pointed to significant investments in digital tools like the “Unified State Control” and the “Entrepreneur Virtual Office” platforms, which allow for real-time legal monitoring and support for businesses across the country.

The Business Ombudsman also plays a strategic role in shaping national policy. It prepares comprehensive proposals to remove outdated regulations and reduce administrative barriers, especially in preparation for the annual Open Dialogue of the President with Entrepreneurs, where private sector voices are directly heard at the highest level. The session reinforced Uzbekistan’s commitment to aligning with international legal standards and building a transparent, investor-friendly environment. Participants at the forum welcomed the ongoing reforms and called for continued international engagement and knowledge sharing.