MP: Business Objections Should Be Treated as a Call for Reform

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The construction sector in Uzbekistan is still not free from corruption risks, said Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of the Committee of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on Entrepreneurship, Competition and Industry and head of the Yuksalish movement.

Bekmurodov commented on the statement by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services regarding the call to prosecute entrepreneur Usmonjon Abdusamatov, who had spoken publicly about large-scale bribes in the sector.

According to him, the Ministry of Construction does not fully utilize the mechanisms of public oversight that are already in place. In particular, the ministry’s Public Council includes only two non-governmental non-profit organizations, while a presidential decree stipulates that their share should be no less than 50 percent.

Bekmurodov emphasized that the work of the Council could serve as a platform for regularly monitoring and analyzing key issues in the industry while maintaining close contact with entrepreneurs and society.

“An entrepreneur’s objections should not be perceived as criticism of the industry but rather as an assessment of existing problems,” the deputy stressed. He added that any constructive criticism should be followed by concrete steps to improve transparency in permitting procedures and to expand public participation.

In his view, the most effective solution in the current situation would be to hold a meeting between ministry representatives and entrepreneurs to discuss potential proposals for addressing the shortcomings.