BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Uzbekistan will
launch a new privatization program offering 100 trillion soums
(about $8.3 billion) worth of state assets for sale, President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, as the government seeks to accelerate
private investment and address slowing industrial output at state
enterprises.
This was reflected in the statement published by the official
channel of the Press Secretary to the President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan following a video-conference to analyze economic growth
rates in the regions and sectors during the first half of the year
and to discuss priority tasks for the remainder of the year.
The announcement came during a government meeting reviewing the
country's economic performance in the first half of 2026, where the
president also ordered an in-depth review of underperforming
industrial companies.
According to Mirziyoyev, production at 57 industrial sectors and
76 regional enterprises has declined by a combined 11 trillion
soums (about $917 million) since the beginning of the year.
The president instructed the deputy prime minister, together
with regional governors and industry leaders, to carry out a
company-by-company assessment within the next 10 days to identify
and resolve operational problems.
"Whatever problem exists at an enterprise must be resolved on
site," Mirziyoyev said.
He also tasked the Industrial Council with preparing proposals
to recover the 11 trillion soums (about $917 million) in lost
production across 133 enterprises, aiming to restore output and
improve industrial performance before the end of the year.
Mirziyoyev criticized local authorities for the lack of a
systematic approach to managing and selling state-owned property,
noting that 3,000 state assets with a combined value of 22 trillion
soums (about $1.8 billion) are currently listed for auction.
"There is no effective system among regional administrations for
selling state property," the president said.
To accelerate privatization, Mirziyoyev announced that the
government will soon launch a new nationwide program under which
1,300 real estate assets worth 100 trillion soums (around $8.3
billion), 8,000 hectares of land, and state stakes in 66 companies
will be offered to investors.
The new initiative will also introduce more favorable payment
terms for buyers. Entrepreneurs purchasing state assets will see
the required down payment reduced from 30% to 15%, while the
remaining balance can be paid in installments without interest.
The measures are part of Uzbekistan's broader economic reform
agenda aimed at expanding private sector participation, improving
the efficiency of state asset management and attracting domestic
and foreign investment. Privatization has become a central pillar
of the government's strategy to modernize the economy, strengthen
competition and reduce the state's role in commercial activity
while creating new opportunities for private businesses.
