Ministers replace foreign cars with national brands, following President’s order

On March 5 of this year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during an expanded meeting on the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures and future priorities, instructed that officials sharply reduce the use of official foreign transport and switch to national cars and national furniture.

In line with this directive, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, during a videoconference meeting on March 7, ordered all state officials to immediately stop using foreign official cars. Behzod Khidoyatov, the Prime Minister’s press secretary, emphasized that the change should take place immediately, rather than on April 1.

"They are suggesting we introduce this from March 20 or April 1. No, it won't work. Our President gave an instruction, and we must implement it immediately. This is the main task of the government," the Prime Minister stated in the videoconference on March 7.

As a result, officials have started replacing their foreign vehicles with those from national brands.

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov was one of the first to switch from his Mercedes-Benz official car to a Malibu Premier 2. Videos confirming this have been circulating on social media, with the Prime Minister’s press secretary, Behzod Khidoyatov, also confirming the change.

Senate Speaker Tanzila Norbayeva and Legislative Chamber Speaker Nuriddin Ismoilov have switched to Chevrolet Tahoe cars. Deputy prime ministers are now driving Malibu models, while regional governors have switched to either Tahoe or Traverse models.

Ahror Burkhonov, the press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told QALAMPIR.UZ that the head of the Foreign Ministry has always driven a Malibu 2 from the national brand. Therefore, he believes the issue is already resolved in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Kungratbay Sharipov is currently on a business trip to France. The Mercedes-Benz car assigned to Kungratbay Sharipov, as well as the Skoda official cars assigned to the minister’s adviser on information policy issues and press secretary, have been returned to the state. Currently, they do not have official cars and are using alternative transport. The first deputy minister now drives a Mercedes, and two other deputies drive Malibu 2 cars. All ministry heads are expected to use Malibu or Lacetti official cars moving forward.

Minister of Water Resources Shavkat Khamroev drives a Malibu 2, while the first deputy minister has switched to a Lacetti 2. Another deputy, who drives a BYD Song electric car, is also expected to switch to a national brand soon.

"We are uncertain about what car the minister will drive, as we are still waiting for the Cabinet of Ministers to assign one," employees in the press service of the Ministry of Culture, led by Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov, say.

Shukhrat Kholmukhammedov, the recently appointed Minister of Defense, continues to drive a TrailBlazer, a car previously used by former Minister Bakhodir Kurbanov. This car is manufactured in Uzbekistan, so there is no need for the minister to switch vehicles.

The Minister of Preschool and School Education, Hilola Umarova, drives a Malibu 2 and is not required to make any changes to her car.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Energy, all official cars in the ministry are from national brands, demonstrating that Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov prefers domestically produced vehicles, which run on gas and gasoline.

Minister of Construction Sherzod Khidoyatov recently replaced his Mercedes official car with a Malibu. This was reported by his press secretary, Saidnosir Usmanov.

According to the press secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Shohrukh Giyasov, all official cars in the ministry are from national brands.

The Ministry of Ecology, in line with its environmental focus, has opted to use environmentally friendly vehicles. To prevent harmful emissions, the ministry has purchased electric cars, mainly BYD models, with funds from grants.

Foreign-made cars belonging to state organizations will gradually be sold through the electronic trading platform "E-auction."