On 10 July 2026, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Law “On the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC)”, establishing a special financial jurisdiction designed to operate under internationally recognized legal standards. The establishment of the Tashkent International Financial Centre (TIFC) marks one of the most significant developments in Uzbekistan’s legal and investment landscape. The Centre is designed to position Uzbekistan as a regional financial hub by creating a modern legal and regulatory environment that meets internationally recognized standards.
A key distinguishing feature of the TIFC is the introduction of a special legal regime based on the principles of English common law, providing foreign investors and international businesses with a familiar, transparent, and predictable legal framework.
Key Features of the TIFC The proposed framework introduces a number of important institutional and legal innovations, including:
- application of the principles of English common law within the TIFC jurisdiction;
- establishment of an independent International Commercial Court; creation of an International Arbitration Centre for the resolution of cross-border commercial disputes;
- a dedicated regulatory framework for banks, investment firms, insurance companies, fintech businesses, investment funds, digital asset service providers, and other financial institutions;
- implementation of internationally recognized standards of corporate governance, compliance, and investor protection;
- and tax and regulatory incentives designed to attract foreign investment and international financial institutions.
These measures are expected to strengthen investor confidence and significantly enhance Uzbekistan’s attractiveness as a destination for international business and capital.
Opportunities for Businesses and Investors
The TIFC is expected to create new opportunities for both foreign and domestic businesses operating in Uzbekistan. Companies will be able to structure investments within an internationally recognized legal framework, access sophisticated financial instruments, raise international capital, and resolve commercial disputes before specialized judicial and arbitral institutions operating in accordance with global best practices. The new regime is also expected to facilitate the development of:Opportunities for Businesses and Investors The TIFC is expected to create new opportunities for both foreign and domestic businesses operating in Uzbekistan. Companies will be able to structure investments within an internationally recognized legal framework, access sophisticated financial instruments, raise international capital, and resolve commercial disputes before specialized judicial and arbitral institutions operating in accordance with global best practices. The new regime is also expected to facilitate the development of:
- international finance;
- project finance;
- investment funds;
- Islamic finance;
- fintech and digital financial services;
- capital markets;
- and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital, and private equity transactions.
Implications for Legal Services
The launch of the TIFC will inevitably reshape the legal services market in Uzbekistan. Businesses operating within the Centre will require comprehensive legal support in connection with corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, licensing, investment transactions, financing arrangements, governance matters, and dispute resolution before the International Commercial Court and the International Arbitration Centre. In addition, legal practitioners will need to navigate the interaction between the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the TIFC’s autonomous legal framework, creating demand for expertise in both domestic legislation and international commercial law.
Conclusion
The creation of the Tashkent International Financial Centre represents a significant milestone in Uzbekistan’s economic and legal development. By introducing internationally recognized legal standards, independent dispute resolution mechanisms, and a modern regulatory framework, the TIFC has the potential to transform Uzbekistan into a leading financial and investment centre in Central Asia.
For businesses and investors, the TIFC offers new opportunities to structure cross-border transactions, attract investment, and protect commercial interests. For the legal profession, it opens an entirely new area of practice requiring expertise in international finance, cross-border transactions, and English common law.