Uzbekistan Establishes Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree aimed at fundamentally advancing domestic production and industrial cooperation on a systematic basis.

The decree outlines strategic goals and concrete measures to expand the production of high-tech and competitive goods, reduce the economy’s dependence on imported components and materials, and actively involve small and medium-sized enterprises in the supply chains of large enterprises.

An Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement will be established, along with its governing council. The agency will assume the functions of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in the field of public procurement, coordinate the development and implementation of programs to expand domestic production, and provide methodological and practical support to enterprises and regions.

Special attention will be given to creating value chains and introducing innovative technologies, ensuring the integration of Uzbek enterprises into global production and trade networks.

Key focus areas include programs for driver sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, electronics, robotics, automotive, construction materials, petrochemicals and gas chemistry, light and food industry, as well as foundational sectors with high investment potential. Programs will be tailored to industry needs, regional specifics, and international experience, coordinated with the agency, and approved by the council.

New support tools for enterprises are introduced. From July 1, 2026, the agency will compile a list of recommended competitive products, conclude guaranteed procurement contracts with enterprises, and implement comprehensive assessments of value added in major investment projects. Special emphasis is placed on technological development, R&D, and workforce training.

A State Target Fund for the Development of Industrial Cooperation has been created to finance projects. Funds will be used to provide loans for expanding production and creating high-tech products, as well as subsidies for technology transfer and industrial startups. In 2026, the fund will receive the equivalent of US$50 million from the Reconstruction and Development Fund.

The decree also strengthens public procurement efficiency. Starting in 2027, procurement items will be divided into separate lots, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) method will be applied to major projects, procurement specialists will be certified, and from 2028, corporate customers may participate in procurement only with certified personnel. Domestic producers will receive price preferences alongside foreign companies, and an electronic scoring system for evaluating procurement participants will launch in September 2026.

A key component of the decree is personnel policy. The agency, together with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Agency for Management Efficiency, and the El-Yurt Umidi Foundation, will systematically train and retrain specialists and enhance qualifications on production sites. A system of material incentives, including bonuses from savings on procurement of domestically produced goods, is planned for employees involved in industrial cooperation projects.