SAMA explained this decision was based on proposals from privatization consultants Mosaic Financial and Abrau Capital, which aim to create a competitive environment in the asset sales process.

Applications for expressions of interest (EOIs) will be accepted until 18:00 on September 23.

Additionally, the agency has engaged RSM Uzbekistan to privatize the 100% state shares in the hotels "Khiva Plaza" (owned by NBU) and "Khiva Lokomotiv" (owned by Uzbekistan Railways). A total of five proposals were received from local and international consulting firms.

The consultant’s tasks include:

-  Market analysis in the hotel management sector and studying growth prospects for the industry in Uzbekistan and the region;
-  Conducting comprehensive due diligence (tax, legal, financial, and environmental) of the assets;
-  Preparing recommendations for optimal marketing strategies, creating marketing materials (teaser, information memorandum, procedural letter), and distributing these materials to investors;
-  Establishing a virtual data room (VDR), drafting a sales agreement (with translations into Uzbek and, if necessary, Russian and English), and facilitating the sales process.

SAMA, together with RSM Uzbekistan, promises to ensure that the process is conducted "in accordance with open, transparent, and competitive trading mechanisms" and will provide information at each stage.