Mirziyoyev Reviews Reform of Project Review System

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on March 11 reviewed a presentation outlining proposals to improve the system for reviewing investment projects and public procurement procedures.

This year, more than US$50 billion in investments is expected to be directed to various sectors and regions of the country. In addition, 24 trillion soums are planned for the construction of social and infrastructure facilities, while over 300 trillion soums will be allocated for the procurement of goods, works, and services under government contracts. At such a scale, the efficiency and speed of the project review system become critically important.

However, the current procedures do not always meet modern requirements, drawing criticism from entrepreneurs and investors. Last year, a significant portion of the 7,750 documents submitted for review was considered with delays, while some projects were returned for revision due to minor shortcomings.

Under a presidential decree, the Center for Comprehensive Review of Projects and Import Contracts has been transferred to the newly established Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement with the task of transforming its operations. During the presentation, existing challenges and possible solutions were discussed.

Employees of the center face a heavy workload due to insufficient digitalization and the lack of risk analysis methods. With 130 specialists reviewing one project every two days on average, the speed of the review process is affected. Most of the documents relate to relatively small projects, while projects similar to those previously reviewed still undergo a full review cycle, increasing both time and resource costs.

Among the proposed measures is the introduction of a differentiated approach depending on the risk level and cost of projects. Under the proposal, only corporate and budget-funded projects worth more than US$15 million would require a full review. For large and mega-projects, parallel examinations would be conducted, while similar projects would be reviewed under an accelerated procedure and outdated equipment would be assessed through simplified procedures. The use of benchmarking would allow resources to be focused on strategically significant initiatives.

In addition, incentives for participants in the process are planned. Project initiators could receive expedited reviews or discounts if a positive conclusion is obtained at the first stage or if identified shortcomings are addressed ahead of schedule.

Special attention is being given to the digitalization of the center’s operations. A unified information platform is being created and integrated with databases of tax and customs authorities, national statistics, as well as environmental and climate data, and systems for classifying construction resources and public procurement. The platform will enable the preparation of project documentation online and allow analysis of prices and technical parameters of goods and services using artificial intelligence.

Mirziyoyev stressed that project review is a key element of the investment climate and instructed officials to reduce bureaucratic barriers, accelerate procedures, and improve the overall quality of the center’s work.