Results of Reforms in the Public Procurement Sphere Presented
Today, Akmal Burkhanov, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, participated in the "Uzbekistan Public and Corporate Procurement Forum."
During the event, organized by the Association of Public Procurement Participants, key topical issues are being discussed, including the digitalization of procurement processes, the application of artificial intelligence, ensuring transparency, and fostering open and effective cooperation between the business and public sectors.
In his speech, the Director of the Agency provided information on reforms regarding corruption prevention in public procurement, as well as the newly introduced mechanisms and approaches and their effectiveness.
Within the framework of the forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Association of Public Procurement Participants.
This document provides for comprehensive cooperation aimed at ensuring transparency, strengthening fair competition, and improving the fight against corruption within the public procurement process.
In particular, the primary objectives of the Parties include:
— preventing violations of legislative requirements in the field of public procurement;
— increasing the transparency and impartiality of procurement processes;
— identifying and eliminating factors that give rise to corruption risks;
— promoting the development of an open, transparent, and honest public procurement system by enhancing the legal and professional literacy of participants in the field.
At the forum, Akmal Burkhanov highlighted several key outcomes of the reforms implemented in the public procurement sector over the recent period:
The number of business entities participating in public procurement increased from 440.1 thousand in 2021 to 623.6 thousand by the end of 2025, marking a 51% increase (316.6 thousand).
As a result of conducting public procurement through competitive methods, savings of 15.6 trillion UZS were achieved.
During this period, the Agency identified violations in 1,463 public procurement cases totaling 1.9 trillion UZS, successfully preventing violations worth 1.5 trillion UZS.
29 criminal cases were initiated, while 339 individuals faced administrative charges and 137 individuals were held for disciplinary liability.
In 2025, administrative protocols were filed against responsible officials in 86 cases involving conflicts of interest.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Agency identified violations in 52 public procurement cases totaling 225.1 billion UZS. Currently, rigorous efforts are underway to rectify these situations and take legal action.
Today, the Anti-Corruption Agency is implementing a series of measures to mitigate corruption risks through the digitalization of the public procurement sector, increasing transparency, limiting the human factor, and ensuring the inevitability of punishment.
In particular, a draft law aimed at increasing the amount of fines for legal violations in this field is being developed.
Furthermore, we are taking measures to widely apply artificial intelligence technologies for the automatic detection of violations and the implementation of "red flag" systems.
Within the framework of the "Digital Compliance" information software complex, opportunities will be created to curb conflicts of interest and affiliation in the public procurement sector, and an option will be provided for any individual to promptly submit complaints regarding ongoing violations.
It is also planned to include the beneficiaries of legal entities blacklisted in the Register of Unscrupulous Suppliers.
In addition, work is underway to introduce a "Control in Public Procurement" page on the special information portal for public procurement, aimed at preventing violations in the field.
Forum participants were provided with detailed information on these matters.
Information Service
Anti-Corruption Agency