Entrepreneur Jakhongir Artykhojayev put forward a proposal to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev regarding the involvement of the private sector in constructing administrative buildings in New Tashkent. According to this initiative, private firms would finance the construction of facilities independently and then lease them to state structures for the long term.
US Experience as Basis for the Proposal
Artykhojayev presented this idea during a meeting with the head of state, referencing practices observed in the United States. He noted that during his visit to Washington, he discovered that approximately 55% of government institution buildings are owned by private companies. The entrepreneur cited as an example that even the Ministry of Justice and FBI units are located in leased premises.
In Artykhojayev's opinion, implementing such a model would allow the state to avoid costs associated with both the construction and subsequent operation of administrative buildings. He suggested applying this mechanism when developing New Tashkent, where new buildings for ministries and departments are planned.
Mechanism of Operation and Benefits for Parties
Specifically, Artykhojayev proposed that private construction companies build buildings for state bodies in New Tashkent at their own expense, entering into 'offtake' agreements for long-term leasing. He also explained the potential benefit for businesses: a long-term contract with the state would provide the construction firm with a stable income. This would enable it to raise funds for construction, including issuing bonds and obtaining bank loans, including from abroad.
In turn, the state would receive finished facilities and pay for their use through long-term rent. Artykhojayev believes this will lead to reduced budget expenditures, and transferring the order to a private contractor will positively affect both the cost and quality of the work performed. He emphasized that if a private company acts as the client, construction becomes more affordable and higher quality.
According to the entrepreneur's forecasts, the implementation of this proposal could create over one hundred thousand new jobs. Previously, Jakhongir Artykhojayev had also stated his readiness to hire ten thousand compatriots living abroad who wish to return to their homeland. These statements were made against the backdrop of the tragedy in Tatarstan, where eight Uzbek citizens died in Nizhnekamsk on August 10 due to a drone attack.