LLC "Telecom Soft" recently conducted an electronic procurement tender to acquire video surveillance equipment meant for automated traffic control systems. The initial projected cost for this state-backed project was set at 10.316 billion Uzbek soms. Following the evaluation process, a Chinese enterprise named "HAC Smart Technologies" was reportedly declared the winner with a bid of $657,000, roughly amounting to 7.76 billion soms.

Meanwhile, a second participant—another Chinese entity labeled "HMN Smart"—was allegedly registered as the backup winner after quoting $698,000 (8.24 billion soms). The final contract was ultimately sealed at the 7.76 billion som mark. However, local watchdogs and media channels quickly pointed out a glaring anomaly: both competing entities officially share the exact same physical headquarters location.

Investigations revealed that both companies are registered at Building MSD-B2, 62 Second Avenue, TEDA Zone, Tianjin City, China. Furthermore, the website layouts, service sections, and project portfolios of both supposedly rival enterprises appear virtually identical. Despite these apparent overlaps, the tender commission officially concluded that both entities met the criteria regarding the "absence of conflict of interest and affiliation."

For context, the tender organizer, LLC "Telecom Soft", was registered in September 2023. The overwhelming majority stake of 82.54 percent is held by "Uzbektelecom", while the remaining shares are divided among minor entities including "Granit", "Buzton", "Svyazsoorujeniya Stroy", and "Global Optical Communication Uzbekistan".

Source: kun.uz