In Uzbekistan, an increase in compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) rates is planned. The National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP) is reviewing prices set in 2019 and calls the current rates unprofitable.

NAPP reported that the number of complaints from vehicle owners about insurance companies has significantly increased. Drivers note delays in payments and the insufficiency of maximum compensation amounts to cover damage.

A study showed that the annual insurance premium of 56,000 UZS set in 2019 does not cover the losses of insurance companies. As a result, payments are delayed, NAPP explained.

In 2023, the level of loss ratio for insurance companies in Tashkent reached 146%, according to regulators.

"The insurance amount of 40 million UZS set in 2019 does not sufficiently compensate for the expenses of those injured in RTAs," the agency's statement said.

The consumer price index in Uzbekistan has increased by 160% over the past five years, and the minimum wage by 265%.

NAPP noted that the current insurance amounts and premiums are the lowest in the region. As a solution, it is proposed to set optimal rates and insurance amounts for vehicle owners and insurance companies based on substantiated calculations.

 

From May 1, the mandatory insurance of mortgage housing pledged as collateral is abolished in Uzbekistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that this would save citizens about 5 million UZS. It is also planned to introduce mandatory notarization of contracts for participation in shared housing construction.

On April 30, the President of Uzbekistan signed a decree on improving mechanisms for providing mortgage loans and improving the housing conditions of the population from 2024.

From May 1, when issuing mortgage loans for the purchase of apartments in the primary housing market, the requirement for insuring the mortgage item against insurance risks is canceled. This will save citizens about 5 million UZS, the head of state noted.

The government has been instructed to develop a project to improve mechanisms for attracting funds from individuals and legal entities for housing construction (shared participation).

The project should provide for the introduction of mandatory notarization of contracts for participation in shared housing construction. The "Transparent Construction" system will include a list of contractors attracting funds from individuals and legal entities for housing construction, measures of responsibility for contractors who started shared construction without electronic registration, and the procedure for monitoring shared construction.

The right to build multi-storey residential buildings is now granted to construction organizations with a "C" and "CC" rating in the "Transparent Construction" system. Previously, the right to build was granted to companies with a CC rating and above, and in the "Yangi Uzbekistan" massifs - with a CCC rating and above.

Developers with a "C" rating are allowed to build buildings no higher than 5 floors, and with a "CC" rating - up to 9 floors.

To replenish the working capital of construction companies participating in the construction of multi-storey residential buildings in the "Yangi Uzbekistan" massifs, 500 billion UZS will be allocated from the republican budget. The Ministry of Economy and Finance will place these funds in banks for 18 months, including a 12-month grace period, at the main rate of the Central Bank, and banks will allocate the money as loans to construction organizations with a 2% margin.

The list of developers who can receive these loans will be compiled by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Utilities and the Central Bank based on their rating.

Improvement work in the "New Uzbekistan" massifs, including the construction of pedestrian paths, lighting systems, parking lots, landscaping, and greening, including tree planting, will be carried out by hokimiyats and the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan at the expense of local budgets and funds from industry organizations.

To reduce the cost of housing and meet the demand in the primary market, it is planned to identify 20 hectares of non-agricultural land in Karakalpakstan and the regions, and 60 hectares in Tashkent, which will be auctioned for the construction of multi-storey houses.

Until January 1, 2025, the customs duty on the import of electric winches and lifting devices (jacks) is nullified.

In the coming months, the state medical insurance system will begin functioning in Tashkent. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the relevant initiatives of the Health Projects Center, reports Podrobno.uz.

During the presentation, it was noted that functions such as prescribing routine examinations and non-drug therapy will be transferred from doctors to nurses. Patient routing will be streamlined in polyclinics.

All medical institutions in Tashkent will be equipped with new computers and technical means as part of the digitalization project. By the end of the year, the "Electronic Polyclinic" and "Electronic Hospital" systems will be launched.

This year, a state medical insurance system will also be implemented, financed by general taxes paid by citizens without additional charges from the population.

The main elements of the medical insurance system include:

- A guaranteed package of free medical services and medications provided by the state;

- A referral system for patients to specialists or hospitals through family doctors, with free services provided only when following this procedure;

- Free provision of medications from the guaranteed package through pharmacies based on electronic prescriptions for the treatment of the most common diseases.

The presentation also discussed the reform of the emergency services system, including the introduction of medical consultations through call centers and the creation of specialized paramedic and pediatric teams. These changes will begin in Tashkent this year and will gradually be extended to other regions next year.

The full implementation of medical insurance throughout Uzbekistan is planned by the end of 2026. According to the decree of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev dated September 6 on improving the activities of the Ministry of Health, the State Medical Insurance Fund will be transferred to the structure of the Ministry of Health from 2024, and from 2027 it will become an independent fund.

The Minister of Health and the Executive Director of the State Medical Insurance Fund will be personally responsible for the timely fulfillment of the tasks set.

From January 1, 2024, the State Medical Insurance Fund will be included in the structure of the Ministry of Health, retaining the status of an independent legal entity and current funding sources. From January 1, 2027, the fund will be separated from the ministry and will function as an independent entity.

The supervisory board of the fund will independently determine the providers (both state and private) involved in providing medical services within the guaranteed volume of medical care, the volume of purchased medical services, and form its budget.

Plans for the implementation of compulsory medical insurance and the development of the corresponding law were outlined in the President's decree on the development of the private sector in healthcare from April 2017. The phased implementation of insurance was supposed to start from January 1, 2021, as provided for by the President's decree of December 2018.

In November 2020, a document was signed on the implementation of a pilot project in the Syrdarya region, after which the State Medical Insurance Fund was established from December 1, 2020.

In December 2022, the President, in his annual address, stated the need to accelerate the transition to state medical insurance, which will begin in Tashkent in 2023 and then spread to other regions.