On 4 February 2026, the President adopted a Decree further improving public procurement regulations (the “Decree”). Taking effect on 7 February 2026, the Decree introduces institutional changes to the public procurement framework aimed at supporting domestic manufacturers, promoting industrial cooperation, and enhancing the assessment of the efficiency of publicly procured large-scale projects. 

AGENCY FOR INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION AND PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

The Decree establishes the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement (the “Agency”), which will assume the functions and powers of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in the field of public procurement and industrial cooperation. The following institutions will now operate under the Agency:

• the State Institution “Center for Comprehensive Expertise of Projects and Import Contracts”;
  
  
• JSC “Uzbekexpertise”; and
  
  
• LLC “Digital Transformation Center”.

The Agency is expected to play a central role in creating new opportunities for businesses, prioritizing domestic manufacturing, optimizing the use of foreign currency, and facilitating technology transfer in the field of public procurement.

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES

For corporate procurement, the Decree introduces mandatory certification of procurement specialists. Procurement department of state-owned corporations must include at least one certified procurement specialist. Certification will be conducted based on recognized international programs, including CIPS, IFPSM, ITC, MLS-SCM, WorldCC, and others. The Agency will maintain a register of certified specialists. Starting from 1 January 2028, state-owned corporations will be permitted to conduct procurement only if they employ at least one certified procurement specialist.

From 1 September 2026, an electronic scoring system will be introduced on the public procurement portal. Participants will be assigned reliability ratings of high, medium, low, or very low. Higher reliability ratings will provide additional points in competitive procurement procedures. Newly registered participants will be allowed to participate on general terms, while suppliers with a high reliability rating will be exempt from the requirement to provide bid security deposits. Participants with low or very low reliability ratings will face limits on the value of contracts they may obtain but will be eligible to attend free training programs aimed at improving their procurement competencies.

Furthermore, starting from 1 April 2026, where domestic manufacturers participate in public procurement conducted by budgetary entities alongside foreign suppliers, price preferences will be applied to the lowest offered price of imported goods as follows:

• 15% where three or more domestic manufacturers participate;
  
  
• 12% where two domestic manufacturers participate; and
  
  
• 8% where one domestic manufacturer participates.

From 1 October 2026, a 15% price preference will also apply to works and services contracts.

FOCUS ON LARGE INVESTMENT PROJECTS

The Agency, together with relevant ministries and agencies, will evaluate the contribution of large investment projects involving state participation or state support to the national economy based on several criteria, including:

• contributions to the development of industrial cooperation and value chains;
  
  
• the level of added value generated and its economic efficiency;
  
  
• the engagement of domestic personnel, including training and upskilling plans;
  
  
• impact on infrastructure and service delivery; and
  
  
• the development of technologies, innovation, and scientific research.

Along with state support provisions, the project documentation (i.e., investment agreements, production sharing agreements, public-private partnership agreements and alike) will be required to include specific performance indicators reflecting these criteria.

These measures demonstrate the Government’s intention to systematically assess the economic impact of large investment projects and the Agency’s mandate will envisage proposing initiatives to expand the use of locally manufactured products in such projects. Further guidance is expected from the Agency regarding the practical implementation of these requirements and their application to specific projects.

This Legal Alert is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Market participants should consult qualified legal counsel to address specific legal and regulatory issues.

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