Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan. 5 / Trend D.Azizov /
Uzbekistan set the minimum wholesale and retail prices for alcoholic beverages, except beer, the republic information agencies published government's relevant regulation on this.
Formerly Uzbekistan did not set minimal prices for alcoholic beverages.
According to the document, minimal wholesale price for wine hit 1,800 sums per liter, retail price is 2,400 per liter,
According to the document, retail prices for vodka, brandy and other alcoholic beverages hit 3,800 sum per liter and 5,000 sums respectively
Regulation stipulates that in case of detecting the sale of alcoholic beverages at prices lower than the minimum wholesale selling price, the company producing alcoholic beverages will be fined at 20 percent of the cost of sold goods, but not less than 200 times amount of minimum wage
If the rules are repeatedly violated, the fine will be up to 50 percent, but not less than 300-times of the minimum wage. At present, minimum wage hit 37680 sums in Uzbekistan. According to the Government's calculations, taking this measure deprives the shadow products of competitive advantage - low price, and will help increase revenue. Presently 60 percent of strong alcohol market is in the informal sector
According to the official statistics, in January- November 2009, Uzbekistan increased vodka and liqueur-vodka beverages production by 13.4 percent and hit 8.56 million decalitre, brandy increased by 23,6 percent to 27,300 decalitre , wine decrease by 10.1 percent and made up 1,831 million decalitre, champagne is 96,100 decalitre as compared to the same period of the last year
On Jan.5, the official exchange rate is 1513.6 sum to $1.