Government officials in Uzbekistan switch to domestic cars; PM Aripov replaces his Mercedes-Benz with Malibu

On March 7, Abdulla Aripov held a videoconference meeting, instructing all officials to discontinue the use of foreign-made service vehicles.

The Prime Minister’s press secretary, Bekzod Hidoyatov, stated that officials had proposed implementing this rule starting on April 1.

“We must carry out all of the president’s orders without hesitation—there is no room for debate. Some are suggesting we implement this from March 20 or April 1. No, that won’t work. If the president has given a directive, we must execute it immediately. This is the government’s primary responsibility,” the prime minister emphasized during the videoconference.

According to the press secretary, all ministries, agencies, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regional administrations, and the Tashkent city administration have now switched to locally manufactured vehicles for official use. Previously used service vehicles will be gradually sold through the E-auksion electronic auction platform.

On March 5, during an extended meeting on corruption prevention and key priorities, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed the need to significantly reduce the use of service vehicles and transition to domestically produced automobiles and furniture.

Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, together with the Accounts Chamber, was instructed to collaborate with parliamentary budget committees to cut direct procurement by half.