Author: master

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On March 4 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the report on poverty reduction and ensuring employment, as well as investment and export indicators.

Since the beginning of the current year, a new system of employment assistance has been introduced. Agreements on cooperation in this sphere have been signed between 208 khokims of districts and cities and heads of banks. In the branches of banks, subdivisions for work in makhallas were created and “makhalla bankers” were appointed.

As a result, 239 thousand people were involved in labor activity in January and 480 thousand in February. Since the beginning of the year, small and medium businesses have received loans totaling 14 trillion soums, including 2 trillion soums within the framework of entrepreneurial programs.

The population is provided with information on income-generating opportunities, ready-made business projects are offered and training on their implementation is conducted. The fact of employment is confirmed in the tax authorities, regular monitoring of fulfillment of tasks assigned to responsible persons is conducted.

The results of the analysis are presented at the meeting.

High indicators of employment were recorded in Jizzakh, Samarkand, Bukhara and Navoi regions, as well as in the framework of projects of the National Bank, Asakabank, Microcreditbank and Business Development Bank.

However, in Syrdarya region, as well as in 24 districts and cities, the results were unsatisfactory. Therefore, appropriate measures have been taken against 30 managers that allowed low efficiency of task fulfillment.

It was emphasized that, based on the accumulated experience, in the coming months it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of work, guide the unemployed to vocational training and income-generating work. It was instructed to ensure planting of crops in the current spring season on all homestead plots and leased land with monitoring of the process through the online-mahalla.uz platform.

Over the past two months, investment and export indicators have demonstrated positive dynamics. Over $6 billion of foreign investments and loans have been utilized since the beginning of the year. 1.1 thousand small and medium-sized projects worth $574 million have been implemented, creating more than 17 thousand new jobs.

Exports of goods and services totaled $2.8 billion: exports of jewelry products grew 7 times year-on-year, in the chemical industry 1.7 times, in electrical engineering and food processing 1.2 times, and in tourism services 1.6 times.

International standards have been introduced at 132 enterprises, and 521 enterprises have entered the foreign market for the first time, exporting $183 million in February.

The meeting noted that the investment indicators remain low in some sectors and regions, and the reasons for this and ways to resolve them were discussed.

The new deputy prosecutor general of the Republic of Uzbekistan Dilmurod Kasimov was introduced, who will be responsible for protecting the legitimate rights and interests of entrepreneurs and investors. It was noted that now the prosecutor’s office will play an important role in creating a favorable legal climate in this direction.

The responsible persons reported on plans to absorb more than $8 billion of foreign investment by the results of the first quarter and additional opportunities for exports.

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On February 28 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the effective organization of public-private partnership projects in the social sphere.

Large-scare reforms on reducing the state presence in the economy are carried out in our country. The Law “On public-private partnerships” adopted in 2019 has opened up a broad range of opportunities for this.

Such partnership brings good results in the social sphere as well. In particular, due to the opening of private kindergartens for 1.2 million children, the coverage of preschool education has reached 77 percent. Within the framework of 57 projects in the sphere of higher education, 29 thousand students have been provided with places in dormitories. In the medical sphere, the private sector has a significant share in dentistry, otorhinolaryngology, laboratory and other services.

Despite the achieved successes, there is still a high demand and significant reserves for development in this area. In the course of the presentation the proposals on expansion of public-private partnership in medicine, education, culture and sports were considered.

Measures have been identified to implement 5 projects worth $1.2 billion in healthcare, 6 projects worth $745 million in pre-school and school education, projects worth $100 million in higher education together with the Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other partners.

In particular, the construction of modern multidisciplinary clinics in Tashkent, Fergana, Bukhara, Andijan and Samarkand is envisaged. It is planned to transfer services of central polyclinics of the regions not related to medical activities to the private sector. 

The issues of involving the private sector in specific types of activities in the spheres of culture and sports have also been considered. Currently, 43 cultural centers have already been transferred to private management, there is a possibility to transfer 127 more facilities.

The need to similarly renovate unused swimming pools, sports halls and playgrounds with the expansion of recreational services was emphasized. To this end, a proposal was put forward to simplify the procedure of transferring cultural and sports facilities to private partners.

The Head of State instructed the ministries of social sphere and khokimiyats to approve and implement “road maps” in terms of facilities, accelerate public-private partnership projects.

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On February 27, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the head of International Judo Federation Marius Vizer who is in our country for the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. 

The issues of further expansion of fruitful cooperation with this authoritative sports organization in the field of development of national judo school and popularization of this kind of martial art in our country have been considered.

It should be noted that Uzbekistan actively participates in the activities of the international federation. In 2022, the world championship among adults was successfully held in our country, and last year – the world championship among military personnel. At the summer Olympic Games in Paris, Diyora Keldiyorova won a gold medal in judo for the first time in the history of Uzbekistan.

Head of the federation Marius Vizer highly appreciated the ongoing large-scale reforms on popularization of healthy lifestyle and all-round support to various sports in the country, wide involvement of youth, especially girls, as well as creation of modern and accessible sports infrastructure.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to the expansion of technical and expert assistance of the federation in the training of athletes, coaches and referees, as well as the introduction of an effective mechanism of talent selection.

In addition, it was proposed to hold regular international judo competitions in the regions of our country.

At the end of the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan presented the head of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer with a high state award – the Order “Dustlik”, for his great personal contribution to the development of the national school of this martial art.

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In the framework of the telephone conversation held on February 26 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev sincerely congratulated President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the occasion of his birthday.

The Head of our state warmly wished the Turkish leader health, well-being and great success in his responsible activity for the sake of sustainable development and prosperity of the brotherly Turkish people.

The role and personal contribution of President Recep Erdoğan to the formation of modern Türkiye, enhancement of the country’s authority in the global arena, as well as achievement of the current highest level of Uzbek-Turkish relations of comprehensive strategic partnership have been emphasized.

The ongoing active and fruitful contacts and exchanges at different levels, the growing dynamics of practical interaction in trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres have been noted with deep satisfaction.

The importance of promoting joint cooperation projects in the areas of investment, innovation, energy, infrastructure, health care, education and others was emphasized.

The Heads of state paid special attention to the preparation of the agenda of the next meeting of the High-level Strategic Cooperation Council and the forthcoming summits within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States.

Views on topical issues on the international agenda were also exchanged.

At the end of the conversation, the two leaders exchanged congratulations on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, sacred for the entire Muslim Ummah, sincerely wishing peace, prosperity and progress to the brotherly peoples of Uzbekistan and Türkiye.

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President of the Republic Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif participate in the Uzbek-Pakistani business-forum.

The event was attended by about 300 executives and representatives of leading companies of the two countries. Pakistani business was represented by such companies as Al-Rafique Enterprises, Mehran Dates Products, Brighto Chemicals, Transfopower Industries, FWO, T.M.C, Pakistan Mobile, TCS and many others.

In his speech, the Head of our state emphasized that during the fruitful talks held today, the issues of further expansion of multifaceted partnership were discussed in detail and major plans and tasks were outlined. An agreement was reached on the establishment of the Supreme Council of Strategic Partnership. 

Trade and economic cooperation has been identified as the locomotive of bilateral relations. 

– Having huge potential, our economies can effectively complement each other, – said the President.

Last year, trade turnover exceeded $400 million, and 130 enterprises are in operation. In this context, Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trade partner in Central Asia.

In recent years, joint measures on creating favorable conditions for business have been actively implemented. Air communication with Lahore has been resumed, and there are plans to increase the number of flights and expand the geography of flights. Business forums and industrial exhibitions are being held. Trade houses have been established in Karachi and Tashkent.

Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation is filled with new projects. Projects with Pak Merit, Diamond Group, Silk-way, Getz Pharm, Gerbion, NLS and others are underway.

The Head of our state put forward a number of proposals for further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

Above all, the importance of holding regular business events with broad participation of business representatives at least twice a year – in Uzbekistan and Pakistan – has been emphasized.

Given the geographical proximity, the need to radically increase the volume of trade turnover, including by expanding the range of goods within the framework of the current Preferential Trade Agreement, simplifying phytosanitary, quarantine and customs procedures, improving the mechanisms of interbank settlements has been emphasized. Special attention will be paid to the integration of electronic trading platforms.

Opportunities in the field of transportation and logistics are expanding. In recent years, the volume of cargo transportation between the countries has increased fivefold. In order to expand cooperation in this area, it is planned to establish a joint transportation and logistics company.

The beginning of construction of a railroad connecting China with Central Asia was noted with satisfaction. In the future, this strategic railroad may lead to the ports of Pakistan, which will significantly increase mutual trade and investment.

Accelerated development of industrial cooperation is in the fundamental interest of our countries. 

It is about projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, geology, mining, electrical engineering, textile, leather and other sectors.

The need to effectively utilize the potential of interregional cooperation was stressed. In this context, the importance of intensifying mutual visits of the heads of regions with wide participation of business missions of the two countries was highlighted.

In turn, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, praising the program of large-scale reforms implemented under the leadership of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as the business environment created, emphasized the presence of great opportunities for enhancing partnership.

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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif held negotiations in a narrow format and with participation of the official delegations.

The entire range of issues on further expanding and strengthening Uzbek-Pakistani relations of strategic partnership was reviewed.

In the beginning of the meeting Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif expressed sincere gratitude to the President of our country for the warm and cordial welcome.

The Heads of state noted the dynamic development of multifaceted cooperation in the past years with deep satisfaction.

Active political contacts, fruitful interparliamentary and interagency exchanges continue. 

In 2024 the trade turnover exceeded $400 million, the quantity of joint enterprises reached 130. Trade houses are open in Karachi and Tashkent. Direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore are renewed. 

The meeting of the Intergovernmental commission, business-forums and a national industrial exhibition of Uzbekistan were successfully held.

In the course of the negotiations particular attention was paid to expanding trade and economic cooperation.

The importance of implementing coordinated measures for bringing the volume of trade to $2 billion based on the adopted “roadmap” was underlined. 

Expansion of the nomenclature of goods within the framework of the Preferential Trade Agreement, mutual simplification of phytosanitary and quarantine requirements, customs procedures, convergence of standards, integration of electronic trading platforms, ensuring access to the procurement system, improvement of interbank settlement mechanisms and others were identified as priority tasks.

The plans of leading companies to implement cooperation projects in pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, agrarian sector, agricultural machinery, geology and mineral resources, textile, leather and other industries were reviewed.

In order to encourage business and cultural contacts between the regions, the Head of our state suggested organizing a Forum of Regions of the two countries in Uzbekistan.

Leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan particularly reviewed the issues of strengthening transport connectivity and utilizing the transit potential. 

It was noted with satisfaction that over the past few years the volume of cargo transportation through the multimodal corridor “Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan” has increased by 5 times. 

In order to further increase the volume of cargo turnover, an agreement has been reached on establishing a joint transport and logistics company.

The importance of coordinating joint efforts for practical promotion of the Trans-Afghanistan railroad construction project was also stressed.

An agreement was reached to hold the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in July this year in the city of Lahore.

The sides advocated for further expansion of cultural, humanitarian and tourist exchange. In this context, it was agreed to hold mutual cultural weeks and presentations of tourism programs.

An exchange of views on the current international and regional agenda was also held. The importance of continuing mutual support within the framework of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, SCO and other multilateral structures was highlighted.

The President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan emphasized the need to join efforts in the fight against terrorism, radicalism, radicalism, Islamophobia and other contemporary security challenges.

In order to elaborate new areas of comprehensive cooperation, it was agreed to establish the Supreme Council of Strategic Partnership and hold its first meeting next year.

As a result of summit talks a decision was made on developing and approving a joint “roadmap” for the timely implementation of the agreements reached and signed.

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On February 26, the International Congress Center in Tashkent hosted the official welcoming ceremony of Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, who is paying an official visit to our country.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly greeted the distinguished guest and invited him to the podium. A military band played the national anthems of the two countries.

The leaders passed the guard of honor and introduced members of official delegations to each other.

After the joint photographing, negotiations began in a narrow format.

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On February 19 President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  headed by Tawfiq Bin Fawzan al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

In the beginning of the meeting, the high guest passed to the Head of our state sincere greetings and warm wishes from the King of Saudi Arabia Salman Al Saud and Crown Prince, Prime Minister of this country Mohammed Al Saud. The minister also presented the King’s gift to the multi-ethnic people of Uzbekistan – a part of the sacred covering of Kaaba kiswa.

In turn, the Leader of Uzbekistan expressed deep gratitude to the leadership of Saudi Arabia for the invaluable gift, as well as the opportunities and favorable conditions created for the stay of our pilgrims in the centers of the Muslim world – Mecca and Madinah. Last year alone, more than 800 thousand of our citizens performed Umrah and 15 thousand – Hajj.

In the course of the conversation, special attention was paid to further improving the conditions and quality of services provided to pilgrims from Uzbekistan, ensuring their safe and comfortable stay on the territory of Saudi Arabia.

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On February 18, upon his return to Tashkent from Kuwait, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Binali Yıldırım, chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, prominent political figure and former Prime Minister of Türkiye, who arrived in our country to participate in international events in the field of urban development.

At the beginning of the meeting the high guest conveyed to the Head of our state sincere greetings and best wishes from the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The issues of further expansion of multifaceted cooperation within the framework of the Organization were considered, in view of the increasing role and active participation of the Council of Elders in the coordination and promotion of multilateral cooperation.

The importance of expanding practical partnership and intensification of contacts for implementing the programs and initiatives adopted as a result of the summits of the Organization of Turkic States was stressed.

The issues of preparation and holding of the forthcoming events within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States were considered.

It should be noted that the Council of Elders is a permanent consultative body under the Organization of Turkic States.

The Turkic World Congress on urban development is organized by the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects, established in 2002 in Ankara. The khokimiyats of the cities of Samarkand and Navoi actively participate in the Union’s activities.

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Events of the first official visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the State of Kuwait have come to an end.

As part of the program of his stay in the city of Al Kuwait, the Leader of Uzbekistan held historic talks with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah, as well as fruitful meetings with key members of the Government and heads of leading companies and financial institutions of this country.

The summit resulted in the adoption of a joint statement, as well as signing a solid package of agreements in various areas of cooperation, including in the economic sphere for the amount of $4.9 billion.

As part of the cultural program, the leader of our country toured the expositions of the Al-Salam Palace Museum, reflecting the culture and history of the Kuwaiti people.

At the end of the visit, the President of Uzbekistan was escorted by Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah and other officials at the Kuwait International Airport.

The Head of our state left for the city of Tashkent.