President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed the law «On e-commerce» on May 22 in a new edition, adopted by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on April 17 and approved by the Senate on May 15. The law came into force on May 23. The previous law was in force since 2004, Gazeta.uz reports.

The law provides an updated definition of the concept of «electronic commerce» and other terms and includes a number of new articles, in particular, an article regulating the use of personal data in e-commerce.

E-commerce refers to «the purchase and sale of goods (works, services) carried out in accordance with the contract concluded with the use of information systems.»

The basic principles of electronic commerce, according to the law, are the freedom to carry out business activities, the voluntariness of contracting, the equality of participation conditions, and the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of e-commerce participants.

In accordance with the law, electronic documents, as well as information recorded in electronic form, allowing to identify its sender (electronic messages) in e-commerce are equated with documents on paper, signed with their own hands, and can be used as evidence of transactions.

The contract in e-commerce cannot be invalidated only on the grounds that it is concluded using information systems.

The offer in e-commerce is formed in the form of an electronic document, and the e-commerce participant’s response to acceptance of an offer (acceptance) can be carried out in the form of an electronic document or an electronic message or by performing actions to fulfill the conditions contained in the offer.

The law specifies that the seller of goods (work, services) in e-commerce may be a legal entity or an individual entrepreneur.

It is separately emphasized that participation in e-commerce cannot be the basis for establishing requirements or restrictions for its participant in terms of the business activities carried out without the use of information systems, unless otherwise provided by law.
The new version of the law prescribes the rights and obligations of participants (sellers and buyers) of e-commerce and information intermediaries. Sellers of goods (works, services) are obliged to comply with the legislation on competition and consumer protection, ensure the storage of electronic documents and electronic messages in accordance with the law, as well as comply with standards, rules and regulations in the field of e-commerce.

The law significantly expanded the concept of «information intermediaries» — they include operators and providers of telecommunications networks that provide services for the circulation of electronic documents and e-mails of e-commerce participants, banks that provide services to provide access to payment systems and conduct payments of participants in e-commerce , legal entities that organize electronic fairs, auctions and competitions, as well as legal entities that provide services for the storage of electronic documents and electronic information scheny participants of e-commerce.

The contract in e-commerce can be concluded by accepting an electronic document, an electronic message or by performing actions to fulfill the conditions contained in the offer. The contract is recognized as signed at the time the participant receives e-commerce, which sent the offer, its acceptance.

Documents related to the execution of the contract in e-commerce can be issued in the form of an electronic document or on paper.

The requirements to the contents of the offer in electronic commerce are expanded. It should contain the full name, postal and electronic address of the e-commerce participant making the offer, terms of delivery and payment for goods (works, services), as well as the proposed prices (tariffs) for them, and in cases provided for by law — information on the availability of a license or a permit document

A separate article of the law is devoted to the use of personal data in e-commerce. The law prohibits the use of personal data for purposes other than the purpose of the contract in e-commerce, and their transfer to third parties, unless otherwise provided by agreement of the parties and (or) legislation. It is not allowed to use personal data without the consent of their owner for the distribution of the offer and (or) advertising, including by mass sending electronic documents or electronic messages.

In addition, the law determines the main directions of state policy in the field of electronic commerce. Among them, in particular, support and stimulation of entrepreneurial activity, carried out through e-commerce, creation of conditions for attracting to the sphere of entrepreneurship, carried out through e-commerce, investments, modern technologies and equipment, as well as stimulation of scientific and technical research, preparation and advanced training of personnel.

According to the information on the second plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the senators started their work with consideration of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Compulsory Insurance of Civil Liability of the Carrier». This law replaced the current Law «On compulsory personal insurance for passengers of air, rail, inland waterway and road transport of general use.»

Then the senators considered the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On the Securities Market» in a new edition, introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the order of legislative initiative.

As noted by the senators, the adoption of this law will help improve the investment climate and business environment in the securities market, the quality of services on the stock market, the growth of the class of owners and sources of income for the population, and capital inflows, including foreign investment to finance investment projects. The law is approved by senators.

Then the senators considered and approved the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On e-commerce» in a new edition.

The senators considered and approved the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan «On Amendments and Additions, as well as the Recognition of Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan», whose main goal is further improvement of the current legislation in socio-political, socio-economic and judicial-legal spheres.

The senators also considered a number of other important changes and additions to the current legislation, including the Civil Procedure Code, the laws «On the Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Diseases», «On the Radio Frequency Spectrum», «On Motor Transport» prepared in the framework of implementing the adopted laws and decisions of the President of the country , aimed at further improvement of the insurance market, the introduction of electronic document management in the judicial process, ensuring the protection of citizens’ health, information security.

Further, the senators considered and approved laws on the ratification of a number of international treaties aimed at further expanding bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The senators also considered the issue of the election of U. Mukhammadiev as the Commissioner for Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

Согласно информационному сообщению о втором пленарном заседании Сената Олий Мажлиса Республики Узбекистан сенаторы начали свою работу с рассмотрения Закона Республики Узбекистан «Об обязательном страховании гражданской ответственности перевозчика». Данный закон заменил действующий Закон «Об обязательном личном страховании пассажиров воздушного, железнодорожного, внутреннего водного и автомобильного транспорта общего пользования».
Затем сенаторы рассмотрели Закон Республики Узбекистан «О рынке ценных бумаг» в новой редакции, внесенный Кабинетом Министров Республики Узбекистан в порядке законодательной инициативы.
Как отметили сенаторы, принятие данного Закона будет способствовать улучшению инвестиционного климата и деловой среды на рынке ценных бумаг, качества услуг на фондовом рынке, росту класса собственников и источников доходов для населения, а также притоку капитала, в том числе иностранных инвестиций для финансирования инвестиционных проектов. Закон одобрен сенаторами.
Далее сенаторы рассмотрели и одобрили Закон Республики Узбекистан «Об электронной коммерции» в новой редакции.
Сенаторы рассмотрели и одобрили Закон Республики Узбекистан «О внесении изменений и дополнений, а также признании утратившими силу некоторых законодательных актов Республики Узбекистан», основной целью которого является дальнейшее совершенствование действующего законодательства в общественно-политической, социально-экономической и судебно-правовой сферах.
Сенаторы также рассмотрели ряд других важных изменений и дополнений в действующее законодательство, в том числе Гражданский процессуальный кодекс, законы «О профилактике йододефицитных заболеваний», «О радиочастотном спектре», «Об автомобильном транспорте», подготовленных в рамках реализации принятых законов и решений Президента страны, направленных на дальнейшее совершенствование страхового рынка, внедрение электронного документооборота в судебном процессе, обеспечение охраны здоровья граждан, информационной безопасности.
Далее сенаторы рассмотрели и одобрили законы о ратификации ряда международных договоров, направленных на дальнейшее расширение двустороннего сотрудничества между Республикой Узбекистан и Объединенными Арабскими Эмиратами.
Сенаторы также рассмотрели вопрос об избрании У.Мухаммадиева Уполномоченным Олий Мажлиса Республики Узбекистан по правам человека (Омбудсманом).

On May 15, 2015, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree «On measures to ensure reliable protection of private property, small business and private entrepreneurship, and removal of barriers for their accelerated development».

The decree establishes the procedure according to which, from July 1, 2015, all inspections of the activities of microfirms, small enterprises and farms are carried out by controlling bodies in a planned manner no more often than once in four years, other economic entities — not more often than once in three years, only by decision of the Republican Council for Coordination of the Activities of the Control Authorities of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The decree notes that inspections by law enforcement agencies of the activities of economic entities in connection with criminal proceedings are conducted with the mandatory participation of lawyers, attracted by business entities (except for cases when the economic entity discards this right). The full text of this decree can be found at
http://www.prezident.uz/en/document/5122

Президент Республики Узбекистан Ислам Каримов 15 мая 2015 года подписал указ «О мерах по обеспечению надежной защиты частной собственности, малого бизнеса и частного предпринимательства, снятию преград для их ускоренного развития».
Указом установлен порядок в соответствии с которым с 1 июля 2015 года проведение всех проверок деятельности микрофирм, малых предприятий и фермерских хозяйств осуществляется контролирующими органами в плановом порядке не чаще одного раза в четыре года, других хозяйствующих субъектов – не чаще одного раза в три года, только по решению Республиканского совета по координации деятельности контролирующих органов Республики Узбекистан.
В указе отмечается, что проверки правоохранительными органами деятельности хозяйствующих субъектов в связи с возбужденными уголовными делами осуществляются с обязательным участием привлеченных хозяйствующими субъектами адвокатов (за исключением случаев отказа от данного права со стороны хозяйствующего субъекта). С полным текстом данного указа можно ознакомиться на http://www.prezident.uz/ru/document/5122/