The program of the stay of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Dushanbe began with a meeting with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
Topical issues of further strengthening of Uzbek-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance were discussed.
Particular attention is paid to the practical aspects of the implementation of agreements at the highest level, primarily the promotion of cooperation projects in priority sectors of the economy and the expansion of the cultural and humanitarian exchange program.
In this regard, the productive activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission were noted with satisfaction.
During the meeting, the heads of state exchanged views on issues included in the agenda of the next Consultative Meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and the summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
Other aspects of regional cooperation were also considered.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Dushanbe at the invitation of President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The Head of our state was met at the airport by Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda and other officials. In accordance with the program of stay, today the leader of Uzbekistan will hold talks with the President of Tajikistan and take part in the fifth Consultative Meeting of the heads of Central Asian states.
An open dialogue was held in the city of Namangan to discuss plans for the socio-economic development of the region.
Over the past five years, the number of enterprises in the Namangan region has increased by 15 thousand and exceeded 32 thousand. During this period, the volume of products produced by private business increased 1.6 times and reached 8.3 trillion soums. This is the highest rate in the country.
“Imagine that a region that was subsidized six years ago now has a solid revenue base, a modern industry and strong entrepreneurs have formed,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. – Simply put, Namangan has become, without exaggeration, the land of business people, the center of small and medium-sized businesses.
At the meeting, priority was given to the issue of supporting entrepreneurship.
According to the analysis, production was reduced in 3 thousand industrial enterprises of the region because of the cold weather this winter. The tax debt of many entrepreneurs has also increased.
In this regard, the President announced that he had signed a separate resolution to make up for losses in the economy and support business. The document provides for the provision of benefits to businesses affected by the cold on loans, taxes, customs and other payments.
In particular, for 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses, the payment period for loans in the amount of 4.7 trillion soums to be repaid in January-March will be extended until June 1. 29,000 entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pay off their tax debt in the amount of 2 trillion soums by July 1 in installments, without interest on additional collateral and penalties. A credit line in the amount of 8 trillion soums will be opened for 545 industrial enterprises in order to restore production volumes and replenish working capital. Benefits are also provided for payments for the purchase and lease of state property. For entrepreneurs, a 10 percent discount on property tax will be introduced for each top floor of industrial buildings.
These opportunities were welcomed by entrepreneurs.
“Thanks to the development of the economy of Namangan, this year we have set ourselves a big goal to provide jobs for about 500,000 people. These plans can be implemented only by relying on entrepreneurs and supporting them,” the head of state said.
This year, family businesses in the region will receive soft loans in the amount of 950 billion soums, or twice as much as last year. A special textile zone will be created and 75 billion soums will be allocated for the infrastructure of 15 industrial zones. Also, at least 2 microcenters will start working in each district.
The Ministry of Energy has been given the task of daily monitoring the energy supply of entrepreneurs and the uninterrupted supply of energy resources.
The necessity of growing food products demanded by the market on 9.5 thousand hectares of land distributed to the population was indicated.
Instructions were given on social support for women and youth employment.
During the conversation, the President listened to new proposals and initiatives of entrepreneurs.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the small industrial and business zone Barkamol Avlod in Namangan.
In order to support entrepreneurship, technoparks and small industrial zones are being created in our country. In Namangan region, the number of such complexes reached 73.
There are many entrepreneurs and artisans in the Barkamol avlod mahalla. But they had to work from home, which limited their potential.
Therefore, next to the mahalla on an area of 10 hectares, an industrial complex with the necessary infrastructure was organized. 46 projects are being implemented here. Work has been completed at 18 enterprises, they have already begun their activities, and more than 2,000 jobs have been created.
The head of state got acquainted with the technological process at the enterprises Master Class Design, Sifat Yogoch Sanoat, Balance Tex.
The first enterprise produces 150 thousand units of leather shoes per year. Sifat Yogoch Sanoat is capable of producing 1,200 sets of furniture per year, while Balance Tex is able to produce 400,000 textiles. Young people and women from neighboring mahallas, who were previously unemployed, work and earn money in them. Products due to quality and affordability replaces imported analogues.
We have enterprising, energetic people. So, we created the conditions, and things went uphill. Now we need to help manufacturers reduce costs. Cost is a matter of entrepreneurial survival. If it decreases, it will be easier to export, the business will expand, it will be able to hire more workers,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
In other projects of the industrial zone, equipment is being installed. In general, it is planned to expand the production of ready-made clothing, leather goods, building materials, furniture, paper, food and chemical products. More than 6 thousand people living in the mahallas Barkamol avlod, Yakkatut, Yangikhayot, Obzhuvoz, Lola, Chaman will be provided with work.
Here the President got acquainted with the exhibition of industrial products manufactured in Namangan. Instructions were given to develop, along with the advanced branches of beekeeping, jewelry, and horticulture.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Yangi Uzbekiston Yoshlar Ziyo Maskani library in Davlatabad district.
This complex was put into operation in 2021. Today its fund contains 70 thousand books. The library is connected to the world’s largest network of digital libraries. Thanks to this, readers have free and free access to foreign literature.
Visitors are issued special ID-cards. All processes are carried out electronically.
On the ground floor there is a separate reading room for children under 12 and the blind. Equipment for the development of creative imagination in children has been installed. On the second and third floors there are common study rooms, and in the basement there is an archive. Conditions have also been created for training young people in information technology.
Here the head of state talked with the youth of Namangan.
— Namangan is a land of great scientists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs. And today young people are making great strides in the fields of economy, art and sports. When I hear about these achievements, I am very happy, I think about how to create more opportunities for our youth,” the President said.
Many youth programs are being implemented in the region. Last year, 140 billion soums were allocated for the development of entrepreneurship among unorganized youth, 6.5 thousand young people found their way in life.
Also, 20 thousand young people were employed as a result of the allocation of 2.5 thousand hectares of sown land. 4.7 thousand young people in a difficult situation were paid contracts for education in the amount of 12.4 billion soums.
During the conversation, they talked about projects and initiatives aimed at expanding these opportunities.
— As you know, we have declared this year in our country as the Year of Caring for People and Quality Education. We are promoting the rule that schools should teach at least two foreign languages and one profession. Such educational institutions and sports schools are being built. All this should work comprehensively and act as a school of life,” the head of state said.
The program “School of Life” will be implemented, aimed at employment and professional training of graduates. In this area, the experience of Namangan region will be created.
During the meeting, instructions were given to support scientific research, popularize sports, and organize entertainment events.
At this, the three-day trip of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the valley region ended, he returned to the city of Tashkent.
On behalf of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, humanitarian aid will be sent to Turkey for victims of a strong earthquake and a group of rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations to participate in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent condolences to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in connection with the numerous victims and injured, as well as great destruction as a result of a strong earthquake in the southeastern provinces of Turkey.
Expressing deep condolences to the leader and people of fraternal Turkey, the head of our state conveyed words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, wished a speedy recovery to the victims.