From COVID Centers to the Olympic Village
Botir Zokirov, who was not unfamiliar with the construction sector, was appointed Minister of Construction in September 2019. What changed in the construction industry during his tenure (2019-2024)? What actions of the minister stood out and are remembered?
During Zokirov's time as minister, significant steps were taken to make the construction sector more transparent.
In particular, within the framework of state programs and projects, the main project-research and main construction-contracting organizations were identified through electronic tenders in the "Transparent Construction" national information system, and the process of accepting construction objects until their use was digitized. Additionally, the Institute for Development of Competence and the Institute of Technical Regulation and Standardization were established under the ministry.
Major construction projects carried out during Zokirov's tenure include COVID centers, the Center for Islamic Civilization, the Imam al-Bukhari complex, the Olympic Village, and the tourism center in Samarkand.
"Gifts" Without Tender to "Trust-12"
During Zokirov's time as minister, the media frequently reported that projects were awarded to a company connected to his relatives without tenders. In May 2021, the director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Akmal Burkhanov, revealed that projects worth nearly 5 trillion UZS were awarded to "Trust-12" without tenders.
In 2021, for instance, "Trust-12" was selected as the contractor for a 431.5 billion UZS project in Independence Square. As part of this project, the engineering company "Unified Customer Service" under the Tashkent city administration signed an order contract with "Trust-12" on July 9, 2019. Two months earlier, on May 11, 2021, Minister of Construction Abdulkahhor Tokhtaev was transferred to another position, and Botir Zokirov was serving as the first deputy minister of construction. Shortly thereafter, he became the minister.
“There is a clear conflict of interest here, and it cannot be hidden. Because the Ministry of Construction is involved,” Akmal Burkhanov said.
Among the shareholders of "Trust-12" JSC, one of the largest construction companies in Uzbekistan, are Botir Zokirov's son and wife.
Later, the minister commented on the situation of "Trust-12" receiving projects without tenders.
"There are reasons why "Trust-12" is directly designated for certain construction projects. The organization’s history, quality, deadlines, and its own regulations matter. Not everyone can meet these regulations.
