On May 3 Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree creating seven free economic zones (FEZ), which will specialize in manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.

Taking into account the soil and climatic conditions, it was decided to open FEZs in Karakalpakstan - Nukus Pharm, in Djizak - Zomin Pharm, in Namangan - Kosonsoy-Pharm, in Syrdarya - Syrdarya Pharm, Surkhandarya - Boysun Pharm and in Tashkent province - Bustonlik-Pharm and Parkent-Pharm.

At present 146 local pharmaceutical enterprises manufacture over 2000 items of medicines. In 2016, their market share was 55%.

Out of 8,500 pharmaceutical products manufactured by the world pharmaceutical industry, 6,300 items are imported into Uzbekistan. High dependence of local pharmaceutical companies on imported raw materials has hindered the local industry’s development.

Out of 350 species of medicinal plants used in pharmaceutical industry, only 71 are cultivated in Uzbekistan. This is of course not enough for the mass production of medicines.

The Decree provides for the development of a targeted program for the creation of industrial plantations and a list of specific types of medicinal plants recommended for cultivation, with further deep processing and manufacture of medicines and biologically active additives in FEZs.

The created FEZ will operate 30 years, with the possibility of extension. Special tax, customs and currency regimes will operate on the territory of these zones.