Artykhojayev proposes private firms build state offices

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek entrepreneur Jahongir Artykhojayev has proposed involving private construction companies in building administrative facilities for government agencies in New Tashkent.

Under his proposal, private companies would finance construction themselves and then lease the completed buildings to state institutions under long-term offtake agreements. Artykhojayev made the proposal at a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

As an example, Artykhojayev cited the United States. During a visit to Washington, he said, he saw that about 55% of government institution buildings are owned by private companies.

“Even the Justice Department and FBI units are located in leased buildings,” the entrepreneur said.

He believes a similar approach could be used in the development of New Tashkent, where new administrative buildings are planned for ministries and government agencies.

“We propose that private construction companies build buildings for government institutions in New Tashkent at their own expense and lease them on a long-term basis under offtake agreements,” Artykhojayev said.

According to the entrepreneur, the model could reduce the government’s costs of constructing and subsequently maintaining administrative facilities. Government agencies would receive completed buildings and pay for their use under long-term lease agreements.

For private businesses, Artykhojayev said, the advantage would be a guaranteed source of future revenue. Long-term agreements with the government would allow construction companies to raise financing for projects, including through bond issuance and bank loans.

Artykhojayev also believes that transferring construction to private companies could have a positive impact on the cost and quality of work.

“If a private company itself is the customer, construction will become cheaper and quality will improve,” the entrepreneur said.

He estimates that implementing the proposed mechanism could create more than 100,000 new jobs.

Artykhojayev previously said that he was ready to employ 10,000 Uzbek citizens living abroad who want to return to Uzbekistan.