Introduction Since gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has been gradually transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one. Bold reforms began liberalizing the economy and improving private sector prospects. These include enhancing the country’s procurement system, which involves drafting an updated version of the public procurement law, developing an online training module for the private sector, and conducting nationwide training courses based on new procurement methods and procedures. Building a more transparent and professional public procurement system can foster economic growth and good governance. Evolving the Procurement Profession Although progress has been made in reforming Uzbekistan's procurement system, it is still not recognized as a structured profession within the civil service, leaving practitioners without a formal career path as most initiatives focused narrowly on compliance rather than broader professional competencies. Key challenges include: Few knowledge centers offer pre-service and in-service training. Lack of structured training programs, national competency, and certification frameworks. Limited professional networking opportunities for practitioners. Inconsistent remuneration, benefits, and feedback mechanism. Need for clearer guidance on procurement laws to enhance professional judgment. Maximizing the Role of Public Procurement for Economic and Social Value Public procurement plays a vital role in meeting organizational objectives, managing governance, ensuring compliance, mitigating risks, and maintaining best practices. It has the potential to deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits. Professionalizing procurement can enhance workforce capacity (e.g., policies, systems, and IT infrastructure) and capability (e.g., knowledge, skills, and expertise), enabling better outcomes. Without a professionalization system—comprising legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and a qualified workforce—the country risks losing procurement’s potential to deliver greater societal value. Aligning Procurement Professionalization with Financial Management Reforms Procurement affects budget execution, cash management, and fiscal reporting. Its professionalization must align with Uzbekistan’s broader public financial management reforms. As Uzbekistan modernizes its treasury system and adopts program-based budgeting, practitioners must develop competencies in integrated financial management information systems. Strengthening their capabilities will improve planning, align procurement with budget cycles, and enhance data quality for expenditure tracking. The Chamber of Accounts, as Uzbekistan’s supreme audit institution, can help identify skill gaps among practitioners based on audit findings and assess the effectiveness of professionalization efforts and suggest improvements. Establishing formal communication channels between the Chamber and procurement training institutions will ensure that audit findings inform capacity-building efforts. Regularly sharing systemic issues and hosting joint workshops on emerging procurement challenges and risks could further enhance collaboration. Building a Sustainable Framework for Procurement Professionalization Policymakers can focus on: Developing a competency and certification framework leading to recognize procurement as a structured profession. Establishing structured training programs and sustainable capacity-building systems. Promoting collaboration with knowledge centers. Creating professional networking platforms. Developing a pool of experts and a community of practice in the public procurement field. A sustainable capacity-building system, supported by training programs and methodological resources, will require significant effort and funding. This system could leverage academic institutions and employ sustainable funding models, such as: Charging reasonable fees for certification and training, with differentiated pricing for public and private sector participants. Offering specialized courses for state-owned enterprises and private suppliers. Leveraging existing educational institutions to reduce overhead costs. Moreover, adapting a public-private partnership model—combining government-provided infrastructure and quality assurance with private sector expertise and resources—can ensure accessibility and effectiveness while reducing reliance on donor funding. Resource Asian Development Bank. Uzbekistan: Improvement of Public Procurement Professionalization System. Ask the Experts Akmal Nartayev Principal Financial Management Specialist, Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management Department, Asian Development Bank Akmal Nartayev joined ADB as a senior financial management specialist in 2017. He has been the financial management focal for ADB’s Central and West Asia projects since 2018. He has more than 20 years of work experience, including 12 years of professional experience in the Big Four auditing firms, providing advisory services in Almaty, London, Moscow, and Nur-Sultan offices. Follow Akmal Nartayev on Yorkin Alimov Senior Procurement Officer, Uzbekistan Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank Yorkin Alimov has more than 24 years of professional experience, including 17 years in procurement, contract management, and business development within multinational corporations in the mining and energy sectors. He has also served in local government and worked as a trade development specialist under USAID’s Enterprise Development and Regional Trade Development programs in the Central Asian region. He holds an MBA from Colorado State University, USA. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Its main instruments for helping its developing member countries are policy dialogue, loans, equity investments, guarantees, grants, and technical assistance. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.