Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zhamshid Khodzhayev said during a meeting of a government commission with businessmen that inspections of contracts for cotton down and pulp exports are continuing because of the risk of sanctions.
“If we don’t carry out the necessary checks, the whole system could fall under sanctions. After that, you will not be able to get paid – payments will simply not go through and the situation will become extremely difficult,” he was quoted as saying by Azattik. Asia.
Officials are verifying information about buyers. “If the buyer is linked to companies on the SDN-list (Specially Designated Nationals – a special sanctions list formed by the US Treasury Department – ed.) or there is a risk of products being used for dual purposes, it is necessary to terminate contractual relations,” said Abrorhuzha Turdaliyev, deputy chairman of the Central Bank.
Cotton pulp is used to make gunpowder and ammunition. In December 2025, the UK imposed sanctions on four companies from Uzbekistan (Raw Materials Cellulose, Gelion Business Trade, Fergana Chemical Plant, Chemistry International) that produce cotton pulp.
The EU and London sanctions list also includes businessman Rustam Muminov, a citizen of Uzbekistan, Russia and the UK. This businessman owns the Fergana Chemical Plant. The editorial board of Azattyk. Asia, citing EU documents, wrote that Muminov’s enterprise supplied cotton to gunpowder factories in the Russian cities of Perm and Kazan. These factories produce weapons for the Russian army.
Uzbekistan is tightening control over the export of cotton pulp. It is used to produce gunpowder