Uzbekistan Competition Committee Identifies Violations in Tender Worth 15.5 Billion Sums

In 2026, the Competition Committee of Uzbekistan and its territorial branches received 1230 complaints related to e-commerce. The Committee analyzed the main problems in this sector and identified directions for their systematic resolution.

During the reporting period, the body received a total of 6414 appeals related to retail trade, e-commerce, and public catering. E-commerce accounted for 19.2% of the total number of all complaints.

According to the committee's data, 704 complaints, which is 57.2%, were resolved in favor of consumers, thereby fully restoring citizens' rights. In another 453 cases (36.8%), applicants were provided with appropriate legal clarifications. A total of 33 complaints (2.7%) were transferred to other authorized state bodies in accordance with the committee's powers.

The largest number of complaints was associated with major e-commerce platforms and installment services. Specifically, 446 appeals, or 36.2% of all e-commerce complaints, concerned Uzum Market. Uzum Nasiya collected 184 complaints (14.9%), Alif Shop—92 complaints (7.5%), the retail chain Ishonch—69 complaints (5.6%), and Yandex services—63 complaints (5.1%).

The analysis of received complaints revealed a number of systemic issues requiring further attention. The Committee noted the need to improve the identification process of e-commerce participants and increase the transparency of information provided to consumers.

Special attention should be paid to electronic contract and installment mechanisms, issues of goods delivery and refunds, as well as strengthening the responsibility of online platforms. Other identified areas include the introduction of digital mechanisms for pre-trial dispute resolution, improving the management of electronic documents, and increasing the legal literacy of both consumers and businesses.

The Committee emphasized that its activities are not limited to reviewing individual appeals. Based on the analysis of incoming complaints, proposals are developed for the systematic elimination of identified problems and the further strengthening of consumer rights protection mechanisms in the e-commerce sector.

The Territorial Department of the Competition Committee of the Republic of Karakalpakstan reported the detection of signs of coordinated actions and anti-competitive agreements in 200 tenders conducted in Karakalpakstan.

Inspections carried out from January to June 2026 covered 345 tenders with a total value of approximately 41 billion soms. As a result of the inspection, 842 violations of competition legislation were discovered in 317 public procurements worth 32.1 billion soms.

Separately, specialists studied 200 tenders that were conducted through the electronic platform etender.uzex.uz in 2025. These procurements concerned services for laboratory testing of the quality of construction materials used in road construction and related works, as well as the preparation of corresponding protocols and reports.

The cumulative initial value of these tenders exceeded 1.6 billion soms. After analysis, a Special Commission established the presence of signs of coordinated actions and anti-competitive arrangements on the part of the customer and several commercial entities.

According to the inspection results, tender participants distributed orders among themselves based on territorial principles. It was noted that certain companies regularly participated in the same procurements, after which one of the participants systematically became the winner.

Furthermore, identical and synchronized approaches were used when preparing price proposals. In some cases, laboratory testing protocols were prepared even before the tenders took place, and corresponding contracts were concluded.

The inspection also found instances where invoices confirming the full completion of contractual work were issued on the day of contract registration with the Treasury or the next day.

The Special Commission concluded that the customer's actions violate Article 29 of the Law 'On Competition,' which prohibits any actions that restrict or are capable of restricting competition in tenders. In response to the identified facts, an order was issued requiring the elimination of violations and preventing similar situations in the future.

Reports on administrative offenses were compiled regarding officials responsible for the violations of competition legislation. These documents were submitted to the judicial authorities according to established procedures.

Violations were identified during an audit of 317 state procurements in Karakalpakstan, totaling 32.1 billion soums. This audit covered 345 tenders worth approximately 41 billion soums, among which signs of collusion between participants and customers were found.

According to information provided by the Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Protection, the inspections took place from January to June 2026. Specialists conducted a detailed analysis of the procurements and focused on 200 tenders worth 1.6 billion soums related to assessing the quality of road works and laboratory testing of building materials.

Signs of collusion were noted specifically in these procurements. It was established that companies distributed different regions among themselves, and some regularly participated in tenders together, which led to the same contractor winning.

Additional signs of collusion included the price proposals of the participants, as the applications showed identical and synchronized pricing approaches. During the study of documentation, other violations were also discovered: in some cases, laboratory test protocols were drawn up before the start of the tender and the signing of the contract. It was also noted that for a number of contracts, invoices were issued either on the day of registration with the Treasury or the next day.

Based on the inspection results, a special commission determined a violation of Article 29 of the Law 'On Competition,' which prohibits any actions that restrict competition. Responsible persons were issued mandatory orders to eliminate the identified violations and prevent their recurrence. Furthermore, administrative protocols were drawn up against officials responsible for the violations, and the relevant materials were sent to the courts.

Previously, it was reported that the tender for the purchase of medical equipment with an initial value of 14 billion soums was canceled after the Committee for Competition Development and Consumer Protection discovered inconsistencies in the terms of this tender.