Expert Assesses Uzbekistan’s Public Procurement Reforms

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — International expert Scott Dicken, director of Charles Kendall & Partners, has praised the development of Uzbekistan’s public procurement system, highlighting the importance of professional training, specialist certification and the adoption of international best practices.

The Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement is implementing a project to professionalize the procurement system in partnership with Charles Kendall & Partners and RSM Consulting, with support from a grant provided by the Asian Development Bank.

According to Dicken, Uzbekistan is undertaking extensive reforms in public procurement, with increasing attention being paid to international practices.

The Agency plays a key role in the process by improving procurement policy, strengthening institutional capacity and increasing the efficiency and transparency of procurement procedures.

Dicken noted that the reforms should extend beyond legislation, regulatory frameworks and digital platforms to include the development of professional skills among employees responsible for procurement.

As part of the project, international specialists are helping develop training programmes, curricula and a learning management system. This approach allows international experience to be applied while taking into account the specific features of Uzbekistan’s national procurement system and the practical needs of its participants.

Dicken placed particular emphasis on establishing a three-tier professional certification system for procurement specialists. The system is intended to define successive stages of professional development, from acquiring basic knowledge to developing advanced and strategic skills.

He said the effectiveness of certification should be measured not by the number of certificates issued, but by its impact on practical procurement outcomes.

A well-designed system could improve procurement planning, strengthen competition, enhance contract management, reduce risks and promote the efficient use of public funds.

Dicken also stressed that international models should be adapted to Uzbekistan’s legal framework, institutional structure, market conditions and professional environment rather than copied without regard to local circumstances.

In his assessment, coordinated progress in legislation, digitalization, professional training and certification would help shift the focus from procedural compliance towards a professional procurement system centred on skills and results.