A Roadmap was approved for the implementation of the Sphere Without Corruption Project 2022-2023 in the field of public procurement.

In 2022, the following activities were implemented as part of the Roadmap:

Firstly, the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of May 20, 2022 No. 276 ‘On approval of the Regulations on the procedure for organizing and conducting procedures related to public procurement’ was adopted.

This document regulates the general rules and conditions for public procurement in electronic form, the selection of the best offers and the requirement for participants to disclose information about the main beneficial owner in the tender documentation on procurement, the procedure for public procurement under direct contracts, etc.

Secondly, in 2022, offenses related to embezzlement of budgetary funds and other forms of corruption in public procurement were comprehensively analyzed. According to the analysis, the main share of violations fell on the falsification of documents during tenders, the purchase of products at artificially high prices, the identification of winners without a tender, the conclusion of direct contracts in violation of the law, etc.

In order to prevent such situations, together with representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the World Bank, an electronic platform was developed to identify corruption situations and ensure transparency in public procurement.

Thirdly, an anti-corruption expertise of legal acts in the field of public procurement was carried out. In particular, the legal acts regarding direct agreement on public procurements, no-bid contracts were considered. Based on the results of the consideration, relevant proposals were prepared.

On the basis of these proposals, on November 9, 2022, Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 244 ‘On measures to simplify state regulation of entrepreneurial activity’ was adopted.

According to it, from March 1, 2023:

• it is not allowed to fulfill orders on the basis of direct public procurement contracts, the amount of which is 3,500-fold base calculated value and more, implemented in accordance with the resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers;
• it is prohibited to purchase goods (works, services), the amount of which is 3,500-fold base calculated value or more, under direct agreements between the ministry (department, institution) and its subordinate organization (institution).

Fourthly, a special system was created to train specialists in the correct implementation of public procurement. In particular, in 2022, 4,377 specialists responsible for organizing and conducting procurement procedures for government customers underwent advanced training at the Training Center under the Ministry of Finance.

In addition, the Training Center approved a 26-hour special training program for suppliers on the topic ‘Public Procurement’ in order to improve their skills, which attended by more than 400 suppliers.

In addition, in May, August and November 2022, the Anti-Corruption Agency held two-day seminars for the heads of the Internal Anti-Corruption Control Units of ministries and departments on the procedure for public procurement and corruption risks that may arise in the public procurement process.

Fifthly, a draft Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers ‘On approval of the Strategy for further development and improvement of the public procurement system of the Republic of Uzbekistan 2022-2026’ was developed and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which aimed at ensuring openness and transparency of public procurement.

The Anti-Corruption Agency