Merchants from the Guliston bazaars in the northern city of Panjakent, which was destroyed by fire last November, are expressing concerns about the prices for new shops at the bazaar under construction at a different location. They claim that the bazaar management has offered entrepreneurs, who lost their stalls in the fire, 12-square-meter shops at a price of 100,000 somoni.
The bazaar director stated that this is not the final price, and that fire-affected merchants will be eligible for discounts.
The Guliston bazaar, also known as Lattabozor, burned down in the night from November 12 to 13, 2025. The fire engulfed an area of 792 square meters, destroying 280 stalls inside the market and 20 neighboring shops.
Following the fire, Panakent authorities announced that traders would be relocated to a new bazaar and would be exempt from taxes for six months. According to the management of the new bazaar, traders have already received keys to their new stalls.
However, some traders are now complaining about the conditions at the new bazaar.
“We can’t recover such large losses”
One trader from the burned Guliston bazaar (who asked not to be named) complained to Asia-Plus: "The people responsible for the new bazaar have set the price for a 3×4-meter shop at 100,000 somoni and a monthly rent of 800 somoni, which we disagree with."
He added that for traders who were not affected by the fire, the price for the same size shop was set at 180,000 somoni, with a rent of 960 somoni.
"We don't engage in wholesale trade; we sell individual items. But the new bazaar management doesn't understand the situation of the people in Panjakent, that is why they have set such high prices. Most of the traders who were affected by the fire, including myself, have bank loans. Personally, I have lost 3 million somoni. Although we are exempt from taxes and rent for six months, we cannot recover from such large losses," he said.
Another trader, also unwilling to disclose his name, stated that he has not signed a contract with the new bazzar owner yet, but he has been given permission to operate.
"At Guliston bazaar, I paid 200 somoni per month for rent. In my opinion, the new bazaar owners have misjudged the real situation, as the prices for shops and rent are too high. Moreover, the new bazaar is far from the city center, making it harder and longer for customers to get there," he added.
Final prices have not been set
Akbar Khursandov, the head of the new bazaar, assured that the final prices have not been determined.
"We have provided discounts to traders who were affected by the fire, and they can operate without paying rent, utilities, electricity, and other services for six months. We told them to start working, and later, based on the trade conditions, we will review the terms. The affected traders have received the keys to their shops, and some have already started repairs inside the premises," he said.
Traders interviewed by Asia-Plus confirmed that they and many other entrepreneurs have received keys to the shops at the new bazaar.
The Panjakent authorities briefly stated that traders are exempt from taxes for six months.
At the same time, traders say they have not yet decided whether to continue their businesses. "We'll start, and if sales are good, we will continue; if not, we'll close down," they say. However, in this case, they are uncertain how they will repay their bank loans.
