School canteens in Uzbekistan are leased out through E-auksion
The State Assets Management Agency explained the procedure for leasing school cafeterias via E-auksion, the conditions for determining winners, and the terms of contracts.
School canteens in Uzbekistan are being leased to entrepreneurs through the E-auksion electronic platform on a competitive basis.
The winner is the participant who offers the highest rent, and the contract is concluded for one academic year. This was reported by the State Assets Management Agency.
The clarification was published against the backdrop of discussions on social networks regarding the leasing of school canteens.
In particular, authors of publications titled "Do not turn school canteens into a business" expressed concerns that electronic auctions could lead to an increase in the cost of meals for students.
The agency stressed that the transition to an electronic mechanism does not aim to commercialize school meals. Its main objectives include increasing the transparency of competitive procedures, ensuring equal conditions for entrepreneurs, and reducing corruption risks.
Until 2025, school canteens were leased in accordance with the regulations approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 132 dated May 2, 2016.
Entrepreneurs were selected by special competition commissions created by decisions of district and city khokims.
According to the agency, such a system created risks of a subjective approach during competitions and when determining winners.
The lack of unified criteria for evaluating proposals could also hinder the provision of equal competitive conditions and increase the likelihood of conflicts of interest and corruption manifestations.
To eliminate these shortcomings, Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 8 dated January 11, 2025 introduced amendments to the existing procedure.
In particular, the leasing of school canteens was transferred to a competitive basis using the E-auksion platform.
At the same time, the procedure does not involve sequential bidding in real time, as in a classic auction.
Entrepreneurs submit competitive proposals in advance, specifying the proposed rent. After the deadline for submitting applications, the proposals are disclosed, and the winner is the participant who offers the highest amount.
The lease agreement is concluded for one academic year rather than a calendar year. Thus, the canteen lease term is tied to the period of the educational process.
Further amendments to the procedure were introduced by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 563 dated October 13, 2026.
They are aimed at improving competitive procedures, aligning them with the requirements of the current electronic trading system, and removing redundant administrative barriers.
The agency noted that the priority remains providing students with high-quality, safe, and nutritious meals in compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements.
The department urged that legal grounds and the specifics of the current mechanism be taken into account when discussing the leasing of school canteens.