Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Construction demands punishment for businessman over bribery claims in the construction sector

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Uzbekistan has called for businessman Usmonjon Abdusamatov to be held accountable after he publicly alleged large-scale bribery in the construction sector. The ministry released a statement on its official Telegram channel.

According to the statement, Abdusamatov, who introduced himself as the head of several construction companies, made public remarks claiming that bribes during the construction of residential buildings in Tashkent could reach up to US$200,000 per project.

The ministry said these remarks amounted to the spread of “unsubstantiated information” that sparked wide reaction on social media, fostering negative perceptions of ongoing reforms and damaging the reputation of both the sector and the ministry itself.

“In this regard, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services has submitted an official request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take appropriate measures of accountability against Usmonjon Abdusamatov,” the statement read.

The ministry stressed that all public services and payments in the construction sector are carried out exclusively in electronic form, and the demand for any additional funds is strictly prohibited.

It noted that obtaining urban planning documentation is possible only through the Unified Portal of Interactive State Services or public service centers, while all processes—from issuing construction permits to approving completed facilities—are managed through the “Shaffof qurilish” (“Transparent Construction”) system.

Abdusamatov’s remarks were made on 29 August during an open dialogue organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the event, he proposed introducing liability for unjustified refusals to issue permits and claimed that in constructing homes worth around US$500,000, developers were forced to pay bribes ranging from US$20,000 to US$100,000, with additional costs in the capital reaching as high as US$200,000 per project. He also pointed to numerous rejections from cadastral and architectural authorities, which, according to him, prolonged the approval process.