Uzbekistan and AFD Discuss Public Procurement Reforms

The Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement of Uzbekistan, Expertise France, and the French Development Agency (AFD) have identified priority areas of cooperation to improve the green public procurement system.

Working Meeting and Discussions

These issues were discussed during a working meeting held on July 1, 2026. During the negotiations, the parties discussed current reforms in the public procurement sector in Uzbekistan, mechanisms for developing the green procurement process, as well as prospects for further partnership between the Agency and Expertise France.

Key Areas of Work

Participants reviewed issues related to improving the electronic public procurement system, the phased introduction of environmental criteria into procurement procedures, professional training for public buyers and suppliers, and the adaptation of international experience to the national system.

Joint Work Plan

Special attention was paid to the joint ten-month work plan between the Agency and Expertise France. This document provides for the gradual implementation of green public procurement principles, conducting pilot tenders for priority categories of goods, improving the electronic procurement platform, developing supplier evaluation mechanisms, and integrating best international practices.

It was noted that the implementation of this plan is aimed at fulfilling the tasks assigned to the Agency by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated February 6, 2026. After the meeting, all parties confirmed their readiness to jointly implement the planned projects and consistently develop cooperation in the public procurement sector.

The Customs Committee of Uzbekistan held a meeting with representatives of the international organization Reformatics from Georgia, Giorgi Melikidze and Jaba Gabuniya.

Discussion of Customs Control Processes

During the negotiations, the parties focused on how to improve customs clearance and customs control procedures. Analyses of existing problems were conducted, and possible ways to solve them were considered.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The meeting participants paid special attention to assessing the targeted use of customs benefits, studying their effectiveness, and exchanging views on current difficulties in this area. The parties emphasized the importance of studying advanced international experience, applying analytical methods, and developing practical interaction in these areas.

Meeting Outcomes

At the conclusion of the meeting, an agreement was reached to maintain consistent cooperation between the parties.

The Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement of Uzbekistan and the international organization The Asia Foundation (TAF) held a meeting to discuss prospects for joint work. The goal of the discussions was to improve the public procurement system, strengthen institutional potential, and develop interaction between science, education, and industry.

Meeting Details and Presentations

The meeting took place on June 30, 2026, at the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement. The Agency's director presented information on reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan aimed at improving the state procurement system, developing industry, supporting science and innovation, and increasing human capital.

In turn, representatives of The Asia Foundation familiarized the Uzbek side with the organization's activities in the Asia-Pacific region, its priority areas, and current programs.

Key Areas of Cooperation

During the negotiations, the parties paid special attention to increasing transparency and integrity in public governance and the public procurement system. The implementation of advanced international experience in corruption prevention and the application of modern management methods were discussed.

Participants also discussed organizing training programs, advanced professional development courses, trainings, and seminars. Mechanisms for exchanging experience with the involvement of international experts to strengthen the institutional potential of state bodies and specialists in the field of public procurement were considered.

Joint Initiatives

A separate issue concerned the possibilities of implementing joint initiatives within the framework of U.S. Department of State programs. These programs aim to develop partnerships between universities, research institutes, and industrial enterprises, as well as to implement the results of applied scientific research in production, support technology transfer, and form an innovation ecosystem.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to develop practical cooperation in the specified areas, implement joint projects to strengthen institutional potential, and continue constructive dialogue.