Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Corruption is one of the main obstacles to the development of the economy, creation of a favorable business environment and investment climate.

Uzbekistan has improved its position by 12 points in the index of the international organization Transparency International over the past three years.

The most important steps taken in Uzbekistan during the years of independence were the accession of the country to the UN Convention against Corruption in 2008, the signing of the Istanbul Plan of Action against Corruption of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2010, and the adoption of the Law on Combating Corruption in 2017 year.

In addition, the State Anti-Corruption Program for 2017-2018 was approved and successfully implemented. In April 2018, the Law on Public Procurement was adopted and a more transparent procedure was established aimed at preventing corruption in the framework of public procurement.

The system of rendering public services has been simplified, the transparency of the activities of all state authorities, including courts and law enforcement agencies, has been ensured.

Last year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Decree “On measures to further improve the anti-corruption system in the Republic of Uzbekistan”. The document is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the anti-corruption system, creating the most favorable business climate and promoting a positive image of the country in the international arena

In addition, the State Anti-Corruption Program for 2019-2020 was approved. On August 1, 2019, as an experiment involving the public and leading experts, including foreign ones, the “Sphere Without Corruption” project was launched in the sectors of capital construction and higher education.

In his Address to Parliament on 24 January 2020, the head of state noted the need to move from eliminating the consequences of corruption to its early warning, and proposed the formation of a separate body responsible for combating corruption.

On 11 February, during a meeting on improving anti-corruption systems and public control under the leadership of the President of the country, instructions were given on the development and implementation of anti-corruption programs in areas with a high level of corruption

Attention was paid to ensuring openness and transparency in employment, public procurement, issuing permits, licenses and other processes. The need for the development and implementation with the involvement of foreign experts of all the organizational and legal foundations for the declaration of property and income by civil servants wass also indicated.

One important means of eradicating this evil is public control. In the Address to the Oliy Majlis, the President proposed creating a Public Chamber to strengthen public control and establish closer interaction between the state and society.

This body will regularly study the opinion of the population, set specific tasks for government departments to solve them, including the eradication of corruption.