Together with the Asian Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other partners, Uzbekistan has identified measures to implement five projects in the healthcare sector worth $1.2bn, six projects in pre-school and school education totaling $745mn, and higher education initiatives valued at $100mn.
On February 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on expanding public-private partnerships (PPP) in the social sphere, highlighting their importance in reducing the state's share in the economy. Since the adoption of the law on PPP in 2019, Uzbekistan has successfully leveraged private investment to enhance public services.
PPP projects have already yielded positive results. In early childhood education, the private sector has contributed to a 77% coverage rate by opening 1.2mn private kindergarten places. In higher education, 57 projects have provided dormitory housing for 29,000 students. In healthcare, private services have grown in areas such as otolaryngology, diagnostics, and laboratory testing.
Despite these achievements, significant opportunities remain. The government aims to build modern multi-disciplinary clinics in Tashkent, Fergana, Bukhara, Andijan, and Samarkand. Additionally, non-medical services in regional central hospitals will be transferred to private operators to improve efficiency.
The cultural and sports sectors are also being considered for private investment. So far, 43 cultural centers have been transferred to private management, and authorities have identified 127 more for potential partnerships. To enhance community access to sports, officials proposed a simplified process for private entities to manage facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, and sports grounds.
President Mirziyoyev approved roadmaps for ministries and local administrations to implement these projects, instructing officials to accelerate private sector participation in Uzbekistan’s social development.
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