Why is this important
Trying to punish a businessman for his comments undermines confidence in the reforms and openness of the government. This can increase fear of public criticism and reduce transparency in the business environment.
What happened
- During an open dialogue on August 29, Usmonjon Abdusamatov said that when constructing facilities in Tashkent, people have to pay up to $200,000 in bribes.
- The Ministry of Construction sent a statement to the Ministry of Internal Affairs requesting to punish the entrepreneur for “incorrect statements”.
- The Business Ombudsman called this a persecution for criticism and took control of the situation.
- He reminded that criticism from businesses should be used to improve processes, not as a reason for pressure.
- Abdusamatov stated that he had repeated refusals to issue permits and problems with cadastral authorities.
- The Ministry of Construction claims that all services are provided through the Unified Interactive Government Services Portal (UIGSP) and public service centers, and the processes are monitored by the “Transparent Construction” system.
- The Cadastre Agency stated that it does not participate in issuing permits, but only registers rights after construction.
Context
The authorities claim to digitalize construction processes, but businesses continue to face informal practices. Earlier, the president instructed to ensure transparency of procedures in architecture and construction.
The Business Ombudsman institution was established to protect entrepreneurs from pressure and administrative barriers.
