Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Photo: Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that the country aims to eliminate bureaucracy entirely by 2030, supported by a dedicated national program. He made the statement at the opening of an international forum on reducing bureaucracy in Tashkent, according to the presidential press service.
The president said the program envisions eliminating bureaucratic barriers both in relations between the state and citizens or businesses, and within the government apparatus itself. The plan calls for expanding the number of public services to 1,500, with 95 percent available in digital form.
Starting next year, online services will include vehicle registration, VAT refunds, and more. Mirziyoyev added that New Uzbekistan will fully adopt a “paperless government” system, eliminating paper-based documentation.
Authorities also plan to simplify more than 300 procedures related to licensing, permits, utility connections, and construction, shorten service timelines, and abolish requirements for over 110 types of documents. The Unified Public Services Portal, the Licensing system, the customs “Single Window,” and call centers will all operate using artificial intelligence.
Citizens and entrepreneurs will be able to submit initiatives directly and evaluate the performance of officials. Those who propose effective solutions to reduce bureaucracy will be eligible for awards from a new $3 million prize fund.
Mirziyoyev highlighted several achievements already made through reforms in this area. Over recent years, Uzbekistan has issued nine decrees and resolutions aimed at reducing bureaucracy and established public service centers, the Unified Public Services Portal, and the Digital Government system.
In 2017, the country offered 444 types of public services; today the number has grown to 1,040. Some services operate proactively or in composite formats, easing the burden on citizens. For example, social benefits and pensions are now assigned automatically, without the need for applications.
Digitalization enabled 30 services to move fully online, while electronic document management saves the public 23 billion soums annually (around $2 million).
To support businesses, the government has abolished more than 160 license and permit types, and many remaining documents can be obtained remotely. Public services now operate on an extraterritorial basis, and the “Start a Business in 15 Minutes” feature is being introduced.
“Eliminating bureaucracy is one of the state’s key responsibilities in serving the people. We must build a system in which citizens no longer go to government offices—the state must come to every citizen and solve their problems. This should be the modern, human-centered face of public administration in New Uzbekistan,” Mirziyoyev concluded.
