#International_Seminar
On the Development of a Consumer Protection Code in the Financial Sector: Conceptual Approaches, Guiding Principles, and International Experience
On April 29, 2026, the Competition Committee, in cooperation with German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation, organized an international seminar dedicated to consumer protection in the financial sector. The event brought together distinguished international experts from Switzerland and Germany, as well as representatives of the Central Bank and nearly 30 commercial banks.
Opening the seminar, Deputy Chairman of the Committee F. Karabaev noted that more than 53,000 appeals were received by the Committee in 2025, of which approximately 10 percent were related to financial services. In this regard, he emphasized that developing and implementing modern standards for consumer protection in the banking and financial services sector is among the key priorities in Uzbekistan. He also provided an overview of the main directions and requirements of the draft Consumer Protection Code currently being developed in cooperation with international partners.
During the seminar, international experts Lija Grauberger and Rashid S. Kaukab, along with B. Mirzaev, Head of the Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights of Banking Services of the Central Bank, discussed priority areas for improving financial legislation. In particular, special attention was given to adapting international principles to national conditions, strengthening supervisory and enforcement mechanisms, and enhancing financial literacy among the population.
As a result of the discussions, the following key areas were proposed for inclusion in the new Code:
➡️ensuring clear and transparent disclosure of information on financial products and services;
➡️guaranteeing fair and equitable treatment of clients;
➡️safeguarding personal data protection;
➡️establishing an effective system for handling complaints and appeals;
➡️introducing clear and enforceable liability measures for violations;
➡️developing specific regulations and requirements for online lending and fintech services.
The seminar will contribute to further strengthening the system of consumer protection in the national financial market.
