One of the most corrupt sectors in Uzbekistan is the banking sector, Akmal Burkhanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, said at the Tashkent Anti-Corruption Council June 14 meeting.

According to him, based on the decision of the National Anti-Corruption Council, a project is being implemented to turn the banking sector into a sphere without corruption.

“But it cannot be said that banks are taking the initiative in this regard and taking measures to eliminate corruption in the system. The following figures can confirm this,” he said.

According to the industry rating, in Q1 of 2022, bank employees committed 128 corruption crimes, which is the second highest in the country after the education sector.

Studies show that the corruption situation in the process of providing loans by banks "becomes more and more serious, which negatively affects the effectiveness of the ongoing reforms."

There are registered cases of theft of funds in the banking system, abuse in the provision of banking services and the allocation of loans. Over the past two years, 676 employees of commercial banks have been brought to criminal responsibility, the head of the agency said.

Akmal Burkhanov underscored cases when budgetary funds for various social projects to support the population "are embezzled by some bank employees."

“Of course, such figures overshadow the ongoing anti-corruption reforms throughout the country and undermine the public confidence,” he said.

At the same meeting, Akmal Burkhanov said that Tashkent is one of the most corrupt areas of the country. In the capital, the number of corruption crimes has tripled over the year. In addition, half of the reports in the media and social networks about possible violations in this area are in Tashkent.