Author: master

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Prospects of fundamental expansion of bilateral cooperation and advancing new areas of practical partnership were considered in detail during the meeting of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on December 4. 

Uzbekistan is a member state of the IAEA since 1994. During this period over 40 joint projects were implemented with the technical assistance of this reputable organization. Currently 5 projects in strengthening legal base and potential of national structures, developing nuclear science, healthcare and other areas are under implementation.

The Head of our state highly assessed the fruitful results of the meetings and events held today by the IAEA delegation in ministries, agencies and scientific organizations of Uzbekistan. The joint organization of the International Conference on nuclear energy that will be held on December 5 in Samarkand with participation of leading experts in the field was noted with satisfaction. 

Among the priorities of cooperation were noted such areas as improving competence and potential of national agencies, preparing high-skilled personnel, prospective projects in nuclear energy, agriculture, water use, healthcare and ecology in the framework of IAEA programs.

In the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached on adopting a joint “road map” on expanding multidimensional cooperation in peaceful atom development. 

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On December 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on measures to ensure food security, increase investment and reduce poverty in Kashkadarya region.

Kashkadarya has high potential in all leading spheres, such as industry, energy, agriculture, and tourism. Since the beginning of the year, $2 billion dollars of investments have been utilized in the region. Employment of 565 thousand people has been provided, 90 thousand people have been lifted out of poverty. It is expected that by the end of the year the gross regional product will grow by more than 6 percent, and exports will reach $555 million.

If the region’s potential is fully utilized, the results will be much more substantial. The meeting considered additional opportunities and new projects in this area.

Above all, the issue of food security will be a priority. From next year Kashkadarya will switch to full self-sufficiency in potatoes, fruits, poultry meat and eggs. In this direction, 16 large projects have been developed with participation of foreign investors.

For example, a modern garden of 300 hectares will be created in Guzar, Kamashin and Shakhrisabz districts. Here additional 4 thousand tons of fruit will be grown per year and 600 jobs will be created. Organic cultivation of melons and vegetables will be expanded in Kukdala, Chirakchi, Shakhrisabz, Kasan and Nishan districts. Production of watermelon concentrate, blast freezing and freeze drying will be established.

The region pays particular attention to the development of livestock breeding. 62 thousand heads of sheep and about 10 thousand heads of cattle will be imported from the countries of the region and Europe, to be bred on the basis of cooperation with the population and livestock farms. A livestock cluster for 1 thousand heads and a poultry farm for 1 million heads will be created in Karshi and Kamashi.

In order to increase the share of finished products in the cotton sector, 5 textile enterprises will be launched worth $233 million. As a result, the fabric production capacity will increase by 51 percent.

Tourism around the villages of Miraki in Shakhrisabz and Maydanak in Kamashi, Achinkul and Sechankul in Mirishkor district is developing dynamically. It is planned to invest $300 million dollars in such facilities, create more than 200 guest houses and a thousand retail outlets. They will employ 5 thousand people.

Entrepreneurs propose to produce finished products on the basis of 147 non-metallic deposits of the region. They will invest $209 million dollars in this, the deposits will be gradually put up for auction.

In accordance with the decree of the President, from November 1 of this year, the program “From Poverty to Prosperity” was launched in our country. Six large enterprises of Kashkadarya province contributed to this noble cause and took the initiative to lift more than 10 thousand citizens out of poverty next year. In addition, it is planned to launch 86 driver projects and 33 thousand micro projects with the participation of banks, which will provide income to 70 thousand more people. Owing to this, the poverty rate in the region will decrease from the current 8.6 to 6.5 percent.

At the meeting, the khokim of Kashkadarya region presented his plans. In particular, next year it is planned to attract $3.5 billion of investments, increase exports to $1 billion, and create 300 thousand jobs.

The Head of State noted that today’s indicators do not correspond to the region’s capabilities and gave instructions to improve performance. The task has been set to develop additional projects worth $300 million in industry, agriculture and services together with the initiators.

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On December 3, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on measures of socio-economic development, further improvement of investment climate and business environment in Ferghana region.

As a result of attention to regional economies, new opportunities are also emerging in Ferghana. Over the past seven years, the number of industrial enterprises has almost tripled and reached 13 thousand. As a result of investment projects, 116 thousand jobs have been created.

The visit of our Head of State in July this year gave a new impetus to the development of the economy. For 10 months of the current year the volume of foreign investments amounted to $1.5 billion, regional exports – $910 million.

It is necessary not to slow down the pace and next year increase the number of investments, jobs and exports. At the meeting, the President pointed out specific opportunities in this area.

Recently, the free economic zone “Kokand” was expanded by 210 hectares due to the city of Kuvasay. This territory can accommodate 185 projects worth $1 billion and create about 12 thousand jobs. Also the organization of technopark on 71 hectares in Kokand at the first stage will allow to create enterprises worth $900 million and 5 thousand jobs.

Investment agreements for $1 billion have been reached with Chinese businessmen and $240 million with South Korea. In order to implement them, it is necessary to create industrial zones in the districts and cities of the region with an area of 1,210 hectares. The future enterprises will employ 30 thousand people, including members of poor families.

In Besharyk district, construction of a trade and logistics center has begun. It will be turned into a free trade zone similar to the one operating in Termez, and stores will be leased to entrepreneurs. As a result, $50 million dollars will be added to the region’s exports, and the number of jobs will increase by 2,000. Such a complex could also be built in the city of Kuvasay.

There are also great opportunities in agriculture. There are 91 thousand hectares of land in Ferghana at the disposal of the population, along roads and along the edges of fields, in water and forest funds. It is necessary to use them effectively, increase production and processing of products.

For example, 6 thousand tons of raspberries are grown annually in 15 mahallas of Ferghana district. An entrepreneur proposed to increase the added value by 2.5 times by establishing storage, processing and packaging of raspberries if land in the nearby territory is provided. Another proactive entrepreneur wants to lease forest land in Soh and grow 800 hectares of ferula and 50 hectares of saffron.

By laying 9 kilometers of pipes to two pumping stations in Altyaryk and increasing their capacity, an intensive orchard of 1 thousand 400 hectares can be created. Additional 55 thousand tons of export-oriented fruits will be grown on this territory.

At the meeting, the khokim of Ferghana region presented his plans to utilize such opportunities. In particular, next year it is planned to attract $3.7 billion of investments and increase export to $1.5 billion. The task is to provide employment for 500 thousand citizens and lift 22 thousand families out of poverty.

The Head of State instructed to finalize these proposals and prepare a resolution on the development of the regional economy. The need to create all conditions for exporters, promote employment and reduce unemployment was emphasized. The importance of increasing the responsibility of khokims and other officials in this respect has been stressed.

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On December 2, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the progress of transformation programs of metallurgical enterprises and their plans for 2025.

Over the past seven years, production in this industry has grown 1.5 times. In particular, the annual volume of gold production increased by 26 tons, silver – by 77 tons, copper – by 32 thousand tons compared to 2016.

Over the past five years, the mining and metallurgical industry attracted about $9.5 billion of investment, allowing the launch of 15 major projects. As a result, the industry has become the most important driver of economic transformation, accounting for a third of the country’s total industrial output.

The mining sector stimulates the growth of such industries as electrical engineering, construction materials, chemicals and jewelry, providing them with the necessary raw materials. In addition, the plants actively collaborate with more than 60 small and medium-sized enterprises on a cooperative basis.

Continuing this work and improving economic efficiency remain an urgent task. The enterprises of the industry should become attractive companies in the international financial markets.

At the meeting, the Minister of mining industry and geology, as well as the heads of the plants presented plans for the future.

In 2025, it is planned to attract $1 billion of investment in mining and geology projects. Kaolin production should increase by 50 percent, and coal mining should reach 10 million tons.

Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Complex this year placed Eurobonds on the international market for the first time and attracted $1 billion at a low rate. Next year it plans to issue Eurobonds worth another $500 million.

The Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex will commission its third copper ore beneficiation plant and the Uzbek Metallurgical Complex will commission a new foundry and rolling complex. The Uzbek Technological Metals Plant will expand production of rare earth metals, which are in demand in the green economy.

The President emphasized that next year the factories must implement large-scale changes through transformation in order to improve their competitiveness in the global markets.

Among the most important tasks were highlighted: reducing production costs, fully digitalizing operations, attracting funds from international markets, introducing new technologies and automating production processes.

The President noted that enterprises should quickly adapt to changes in the global economy and demonstrate initiative. Measures were identified to cut costs based on the principles of economy and efficiency, as well as to ensure uninterrupted supply of necessary raw materials to the industry.

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On November 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a meeting dedicated to identifying additional opportunities, increasing investments and jobs in Bukhara region.

Previously, the economy of this region was mainly linked to agriculture. However, over the past seven years, the region has attracted more than $4 billion investments, enabling development of such industries as energy, electrical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and leather. In the past period of the current year, 1.5 million foreign tourists visited Bukhara.

The visit of the Head of State to the region on May 31-June 1 gave a new impetus to its development. All the tasks outlined during the visit will be fully accomplished by the end of the year.

At the same time, it is important to ensure further growth of economic indicators in 2025, increase employment and well-being of the population. To this end, the working group studied additional opportunities of the region and factors hindering entrepreneurship development.

The critical meeting emphasized that the region’s economic performance does not correspond to its potential. Work on investment absorption, poverty and unemployment reduction was recognized as unsatisfactory.

In this regard, the hokims, their deputies and sector heads will be put on emergency duty for a period of six months. The entire focus will be on improving these three areas. Special attention will be paid to implementing 70 driver projects based on the experience of Saikhunobad, Uychi, Zarbdar and Gijduvan. They will provide income to 150 thousand people and lift 40 thousand people out of poverty.

As it was mentioned, each district of the region can be specialized for a certain industry. For example, Peshku and Shafirkan – for production of construction materials and textiles, Kagan city, Alat and Jondor districts – for food industry, Gijduvan and Romitan – for chemical industry. This will make it possible to implement projects of entrepreneurs worth $150 million, create 411 small enterprises and provide 12 thousand jobs.

Four textile factories are planned to be built in Vabkent, Karakul, Jondor and Alat at a total cost of $320 million. This will double the volume of finished knitwear and textile products and create 5,000 jobs.

Next year, the number of foreign tourists is expected to reach 2.2 million and tourism exports are expected to reach $600 million. This will be supported by opening 69 new hotels and 2 thousand handicraft stores.

It is planned to develop additional 20 thousand hectares of land, which will allow to grow additional 100 thousand tons of agricultural products and provide employment for 2 thousand people. Trees and food crops will be planted on vacant homestead land, along canals and field edges.

Another opportunity is pastures. In Bukhara region their area exceeds 2 million hectares. As part of the decisions made at a recent meeting on horticultural development, it is planned to grow pistachios on unused pastures.

Hokim of Bukhara region presented plans to utilize these opportunities. In general, next year 106 projects will be implemented, 105 thousand permanent jobs will be created, exports will be increased by $350 million due to foreign investments worth $2 billion.

The Head of State pointed out the insufficiency of these plans and instructed to intensify efforts and improve results. He tasked to revise the proposals again and draft a relevant resolution.

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On November 26, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on measures to develop the investment climate and business environment, improve the welfare of the population in Namangan region.

Over the past ten months, 681 projects have been implemented in the region, 21 thousand jobs have been created. More than 21 trillion soums worth of products have been produced, out of which it has been exported for $702 million. The regional economy is expected to grow by 8 percent by the end of the year.

Now it is necessary to define goals for the next year. In this regard, working groups are sent to all districts, proposals of entrepreneurs are studied and plans are formed.

In Namangan region, opportunities for implementation of 182 new projects worth $527 million have been identified. For example, if the small industrial zone in Barkamol Avlod mahalla of Namangan city is expanded, it is possible to establish a leather and footwear enterprise worth $60 million. Establishment of such a zone at Namangan massif in Mingbulak will create conditions for implementing industrial projects worth $25 million.

An entrepreneur from the Pap district, together with American partners, proposed to invest $80 million and process 1.8 million tons of fluorite stone per year. This would result in 200 jobs and a $70 million export opportunity. Another enterprise expressed its desire to invest $40 million in growing medicinal plants on 5 thousand hectares, producing confectionery and organizing a tourist center.

In this area, rice, cereals, medicinal and feed crops can be grown on land with access to groundwater, and fish can be raised around reclamation wells in Naryn district. In Chorkesar, Zarkent and Isparan, if irrigation is improved and land is allocated to livestock breeders, it will be possible to raise 100 thousand cattle and goats.

Organization of dual education in Yangikurgan agricultural technical school together with potato growing center will serve both training of qualified specialists and production of basic food products. Thanks to cooperation with beekeeping farms it is possible to organize bee breeding in households and provide additional income to the population.

At the meeting, the khokim of Namangan region presented plans to realize such opportunities. In particular, it was noted that in Namangan region in 2025 it is planned to attract $4.2 billion of investments, create 34 thousand jobs and provide exports worth $1 billion.

It is expected that by the end of the year the poverty rate in the region will be reduced to almost 8 percent. In 2025, it is planned to reduce this indicator to 5.3 percent, bringing 78 thousand people out of poverty. It is also envisaged to employ within the country about 100 thousand people who have returned from labor migration abroad.

The Head of State instructed to support the initiatives of entrepreneurs, create conditions for their projects, include in investment programs the necessary funds for the development of industrial infrastructure. The importance of accelerating the implementation of projects in small industrial zones, attracting the population to entrepreneurship and providing employment was emphasized.

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On November 28, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting dedicated to measures to increase production, processing and export of horticultural products.

Uzbekistan has 3.2 million hectares of irrigated lands, which are used both for growing food and obtaining raw materials for industry. In recent years, 260 thousand hectares of land previously used for cotton and grain have been allocated for cultivation by the population, and another 104 thousand hectares are planned to be allocated in the future.

This year, food exports increased by $370 million compared to last year, exceeding $2 billion. Uzbekistan is the third largest exporter of apricots in the world, the seventh largest exporter of cherries and peaches, and the tenth largest exporter of legumes. Cherries alone are exported to 16 countries.

Exports in Karakalpakstan and Jizzakh region grew 2.2 times, Khorezm – 1.8 times, and Surhandarya – 1.6 times. However, in some regions the changes are minimal. For instance, despite large land resources in Kashkadarya, Navoi and Tashkent regions, growth indicators do not correspond to their potential. In Bukhara and Syrdarya regions exports even declined.

There are 5 thousand rural mahallas in the country and another 2 thousand mahallas in cities and district centers where households have private plots. However, only in one thousand mahallas seedlings were distributed and entrepreneurs purchasing products were assigned to local residents. In 26 districts, support for such farms was not arranged, and in some cases people lost their crops due to the sale of low-quality seeds to them.

To eliminate these problems, employees of the Agency of Plant Protection and Quarantine will be assigned to each mahalla, household and farm.

Household plots, roadsides, the territory along the edges of fields and canals – a total of 650 thousand hectares of land – can be used for planting trees and food crops. Accurate data on such land will be recorded in the “Agroplatform”, communities and farmers will be trained in proper seed selection, fertilizer use and product storage.

Significant incentives will be provided to stimulate these efforts. Farmers using field perimeters efficiently will be awarded additional points in the entrepreneur rating, and a phytosanitary certificate will be issued free of charge for one year. Farmers will be able to pay land tax for the entire land area in installments for two years. Under the “Family Entrepreneurship” program, loans up to 100 million soums will be provided under a simplified system. Control over the use of field perimeters and the volume of grown products will be conducted through the portal “e-Fitouz”.

An initiative was put forward to plant 10 million grape vines along the streets of mahallas and around apartment buildings. Until the plants start yielding, all agro-technical activities will be supported by the Council of farmers, dehkan farms and owners of household plots. The mahallas will be linked with export enterprises to purchase produce.

The meeting also discussed the processing of fruits and vegetables.

Crops such as cabbage, beets and onions remain in the fields due to lower prices during the peak ripening period. This year, much of the watermelon crop was also not collected. However, surplus produce can be processed, dried or turned into food additives for export, and these products are in high demand by the food industry.

Blast freezing technology will be introduced to ensure year-round exports. The Ministry of Agriculture and khokimiyats have been instructed to implement such projects next year.

In addition, 10 agro-logistic centers, more than a thousand refrigerated warehouses and over 40 thousand hectares of industrial intensive orchards and vineyards will be created.

In the world market, prices for organic products are 2-3 times higher. However, in Uzbekistan only 3,900 hectares of land in 10 districts have an organic certificate. In Andijan, Jizzakh and Khorezm such crops are not grown at all.

Meanwhile, 2,000 hectares of land around water reservoirs are cultivated without pesticide treatment. It is enough to obtain an organic certificate and use quality seeds and seedlings.

The goal is to increase the area of organic land to 10 thousand hectares by 2025 and to 100 thousand hectares in the next three years.

Farmers and dehkans establishing organic fields will be compensated for the cost of laser land leveling. Funds will also be allocated to subsidize “Organic”, “Global Gap”, “Halal” and “Kosher” certificates.

This year, large retail chains in Oman have allocated separate shelves for Uzbek products, allowing cherries, peaches and apricots to be exported there for the first time. It was noted that this practice should be expanded in the markets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Europe. Instructions were given on organizing trade fairs and issuing phytosanitary permits.

Due to these measures, it is expected that exports of fruits and vegetables could reach $3.5 billion next year.

The meeting also addressed environmental protection. Responsible persons presented progress reports on waste recycling projects in Andijan, Jizzakh, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand and Tashkent regions.

Once again, particular attention was paid to the nationwide initiative “Yashil Makon”. Within the framework of this project, 200 million trees and shrubs are planned to be planted every spring and fall. To date, ministries, departments and khokimiyats have created 257 parks, and their number will be increased to 517.

The President emphasized that state organizations should be an example in such good deeds, and construction companies should demonstrate social responsibility.

The meeting also addressed the issue of executive discipline. It was noted that the fulfillment of all tasks by the end of the year will increase work efficiency.

Next year, a systematic record of executives’ activities will be introduced in all ministries, regions and districts. The electronic platform will become the basis for assessing the effectiveness and calculating the salaries of executives. The Prime Minister was instructed to implement this system and strengthen control over discipline and accomplishment of tasks.