Open Dialogue with Local Producers: From Identifying Problems to Practical Solutions

Open Dialogue with Local Manufacturers: From Identifying Problems to Practical Solutions

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) – On August 14, 2026, the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement held another open meeting with local manufacturers and business representatives.

The event, held in Tashkent, focused on increasing the participation of domestic manufacturers in public procurement, developing industrial cooperation, and identifying systemic problems faced by entrepreneurs.

During the open dialogue, participants discussed specific business proposals and possible practical mechanisms for addressing them.

Approximately 200 entrepreneurs and local manufacturers participated in the meeting: 70 were present in Tashkent, and over 120 representatives from the regions joined online.

Also present were the Agency's management, operators of electronic public procurement systems, representatives of international organizations and the expert community, regulatory bodies, ministries, and agencies.

Participants discussed current reforms in public procurement and industrial cooperation, opportunities created for domestic producers, issues related to expanding their participation in public procurement, the use of electronic trading platforms, and practical challenges faced by businesses.

Open Dialogue with Entrepreneurs Becoming a Systemic Mechanism

This meeting continued the Agency's efforts to organize a systemic dialogue with the business community.

To date, open meetings with entrepreneurs have been held in all regions of the republic—in 208 districts and cities. A total of 2,710 entrepreneurs participated.

Furthermore, to more thoroughly explore business challenges and proposals in specific areas, specialized open dialogues were organized in the fields of agriculture and food processing, light industry, and pharmaceuticals.

A total of 450 entrepreneurs participated in these events. In total, they raised 30 issues, 20 of which were resolved on the spot.

Open meetings allowed for a systematic examination of the problems, proposals, and initiatives of entrepreneurs in regions and industries in preparation for the VI Open Dialogue between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Entrepreneurs.

During the meetings in the regions, 447 issues and proposals were raised. Of these, 155 issues were resolved directly on the spot, entrepreneurs were provided with legal and practical clarifications for 75 issues, and appropriate measures were identified for another 214 issues and their implementation monitored.

The majority of inquiries concerned the placement of products on electronic platforms and their moderation, certification and licensing requirements, specific demands from government customers, delays in payment under contractual obligations, the promotion of domestic products in the public procurement system, and the use of electronic procurement systems.

New Opportunities for Domestic Producers

In accordance with Decree No. UP-17 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 4, 2026, a new system for supporting local production, expanding industrial cooperation, and effectively leveraging domestic demand for the development of domestic industry was introduced.

This system provides additional opportunities and incentives for local manufacturers to actively participate in public procurement.

Specifically, if local manufacturers participate alongside foreign suppliers in public procurement by budget customers, they are entitled to a price preference mechanism of 8 to 15 percent, depending on their number.

Manufacturers with high and medium sustainability ratings are entitled to a 50 percent discount on the intermediary fee when participating in procurement, as well as the option to waive the requirement to provide additional security.

Furthermore, bidding between budget customers and local manufacturers is envisaged in a "local auction" format.

For the supply of products with a local content level of 30 percent or higher, advance payments are permitted proportionate to the level of local content.

At the meeting, entrepreneurs were also briefed on how to effectively utilize these opportunities, expand demand for domestic products, establish cooperation with government customers, and increase the participation of local manufacturers in public procurement.

Public Procurement: Competition and Business Participation

In the first half of 2026, public procurement in Uzbekistan amounted to 188.4 trillion soums. Competitive procurement accounted for approximately 113 trillion soums, with 7.8 trillion soums saved as a result of procurement procedures.

At the same time, these indicators indicate significant potential for further engaging entrepreneurs in public procurement.

Currently, there are over 646,000 business entities operating in the country. Of these, approximately 344,000 are registered in electronic public procurement systems. Approximately 126,000 entrepreneurs actually participate in public procurement, and approximately 36,000 businesses conclude contracts following procurement procedures.

In this regard, special attention was paid during the open dialogue to expanding the participation of small and medium-sized businesses, local producers, and women's entrepreneurship in public procurement.

Participants discussed improving entrepreneurs' skills in working with electronic platforms, expanding their participation in competitive procurement, and more effectively using existing mechanisms for introducing domestic products to the public procurement market.

From Problems to Systemic Solutions

Following the open dialogue, an agreement was reached to work together to address problems and consider entrepreneurs' proposals with the participation of responsible organizations, as well as to determine specific deadlines and subsequent practical steps.

The Agency will systematize the requests received from entrepreneurs in the regions, in specific industries, and directly during today's meeting, according to relevant areas.

To address the identified issues, systemic measures aimed at eliminating existing barriers and further expanding business opportunities will be developed in collaboration with interested ministries and agencies.

Proposals requiring improvements to current legislation will be subject to separate analysis. Appropriate proposals will be prepared in accordance with the established procedure.

Open dialogue with local producers has become another platform for direct interaction between the government and business, allowing not only to identify existing problems but also to identify specific mechanisms for their practical solutions.