Uzbekistan intends to reduce imports by over $ 1.1 billion in 2017. The representatives of the Ministry of Economy at a press conference in Tashkent on Tuesday stated that this would be achieved through reorientation to local goods and boosting import-substitution.

This year, it is planned to implement 960 localization projects with a total worth of about 6.5 trillion soums. Also 122 kinds of products in high demand have been recommended for localization to enterprises.

In accordance with the Dec 26, 2016 Presidential Decree on localization of products for 2017-2019, the possibility of launching production facilities in all provinces and cities of Uzbekistan for the production of items currently imported is being studied. Until 2019 it is planned to implement 1146 localization projects totaling $ 3.4 billion.

In 2010-2016, about 2000 localization projects were implemented, which allowed to save US$ 7.5 billion.

According to the analysis of imported items, in the last three years the imports of over 100 commodity groups (mine trolleys, vacuum pumps, tower cranes, some types of refractories and acid-resistant materials, wall materials, sandwich panels, carpet, synthetic artificial turf, glass jars, bottles, starch, baker's yeast and other products) have been stopped.

Import for more than 350 items has been reduced by half, these are - TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, vacuum cleaners, household lamps, car filters and radiators, all-metal cylinders, spiral-seam and straight steel tubes, copper pipes, ceramic tiles, linoleum, some types of fabrics from synthetic fibers, medical ampoules, printing ink, children's toys, sports equipment and others.