Category: News

---

---

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 13-16 at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The program of the visit envisages holding meetings and events in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In the capital of the UAE, the Head of our state will hold bilateral talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, meet with the heads of the country’s leading state organizations, companies and banks, and participate in the work of the international summit “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week”.

A meeting with Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is scheduled in Dubai.

The agenda of the visit includes matters of further deepening Uzbek-Emirati relations of friendship and multifaceted partnership, expanding practical interaction in such priority areas as investment, green energy, infrastructure, digitalization, artificial intelligence, innovative development, tourism and many others. Special attention will be paid to the intensification of cultural and humanitarian exchange.

Topical aspects of international and regional policy will also be considered.

As a result of the summit talks, it is expected to adopt a solid package of agreements aimed at further development of full-scale cooperation between the two countries.

---

---

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been reported on measures to ensure employment of the population and increase incomes in mahallas with the participation of banks.

The relevant instruction was given at a videoselector meeting held on December 16 last year. Based on this, a total of 5 million 200 thousand people are planned to be employed in 2025, of which more than 3 million – with the assistance of banks.

In this regard, agreements on cooperation to provide employment and increase the population’s income were signed by the khokims of 208 districts and cities and the heads of banks, which clearly define the rights and obligations of the parties.

Specific targets have been set for each mahalla. Within the framework of the “Mahalla Loyihasi” program aimed at providing employment, $1 billion of credit resources have been distributed between banks and regions. District bank heads have been assigned monthly performance targets for project development, loan disbursement, and employment.

Now the chairman of the Central Bank and his deputies will go to the regions to establish the work of bank branches in mahallas using a new approach. By February 1, 2025, special departments for work with mahallas will be established at district branches of banks, where “mahalla bankers” will be recruited. In addition, assistant-agents will be selected in each mahalla, who will work closely with these bankers.

Banks in the regions together with district khokimiyats will present ready-made business projects to the population and teach skills for their implementation.

The information systems “online-mahalla.uz”, “bank-kredit.uz” and “soliq.uz” will be integrated for operational control over the fulfillment of assigned tasks. The work of responsible managers will be analyzed on a daily basis, and appropriate measures will be taken towards inefficient officials.

It was noted that 2025 should become a decisive year in the issues of employment and poverty reduction, in this regard it was instructed to intensify the coordinated work of khokimiyats and economic and financial structures on the ground.

---

---

On the occasion of the coming New Year of 2025, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has received sincere congratulations and warm wishes from heads of foreign states, parliaments and governments, reputable international and regional organizations, global financial institutions, prominent politicians, public and religious figures.

In their messages, international partners note the successful implementation of the program of political transformations and socio-economic reforms in the New Uzbekistan under the stewardship of our country’s leader, the proactive, constructive and pragmatic foreign policy pursued, contributing to the strengthening of the state’s authority and position in the global arena.

Foreign leaders express to the President and the multinational people of Uzbekistan their wishes for peace, happiness, well-being, great success and prosperity.

In particular, the greetings were sent by:

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin;

President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping;

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev;

President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov;

President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon;

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov;

National leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov;

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev;

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko;

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan;

First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev;

Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi;

Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba;

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Keir Starmer;

President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi;

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian;

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto;

President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune;

King Felipe VI of Spain;

The King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II;

President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas;

President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics;

Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay;

Director-General of the IAEA Raphael Grossi;

Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming;

Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States Sergey Lebedev;

Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev;

Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Asad Khan;

President of the World Bank Ajay Banga;

President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa;

President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun;

President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Alvaro Lario.

Congratulatory messages continue to arrive.

---

---

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was presented information on measures to ensure implementation of the Law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025”.

The law consists of 17 articles and 10 annexes reflecting the main economic indicators for the current year. In particular, the gross domestic product of our country is expected to grow by 6 percent in 2025.

The consolidated budget was approved with a deficit of 3 percent to GDP, with its revenues planned at 431 trillion soums and expenditures at 480.5 trillion soums.

The balance of the State budget and budgets of state trust funds was formed with a deficit of 2 percent to GDP. At the same time, the State Budget revenues were determined in the amount of 308.5 trillion soums, and expenditures – including transfers to state trust funds – in the amount of 344.8 trillion soums.

For 2025, the forecast is accounted for, whereby the budget revenues of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as local budgets of regions and Tashkent city will amount to 65.8 trillion soums, and expenditures – 84.3 trillion soums. The transfer of 18.5 trillion soums of inter-budget transfers from the republican budget to local budgets is also envisaged.

According to the law, the social orientation of budget expenditures will also be preserved this year. It is expected that 52 percent of the total volume of the State budget will be directed to activities in the fields of education, health care, social protection, as well as development of science, culture, sports and provision of low-income citizens with housing.

To increase the revenues of local budgets and expand their independence, the following types of taxes were additionally assigned to the budgets of districts and cities:
– turnover tax, as well as land tax and corporate property tax in full (except for taxes paid by large taxpayers);
– no less than 50 percent of revenues from personal income tax (except for taxes paid by large taxpayers);
– 50 percent of revenues from privatization of state property credited to local budgets.

In addition, local councils of districts and cities were granted the authority to apply coefficients to certain types of taxes.

In general, this year’s State budget will be aimed at the progressive development of the economy, targeted solution of social issues and improving the welfare of the population.

---

---

Distinguished participants of the event!

I sincerely welcome you at the inauguration ceremony of construction of the new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The first-ever full-fledged Agreement on the implementation of this strategic trans-regional project was signed six months ago. The preparation of technical documentation has been completed in a short span of time. And today, we are launching relevant construction works.

This is a truly historic event, which marks the 30 years-long journey of our friendly countries.

A new transportation artery of international significance is being formed.

It will connect the Central Asian region with China through the shortest overland route and further expand multifaceted cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership among our countries.

The project is also perfectly aligned with the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative, today uniting many countries of the world for the benefit of common sustainable development and prosperity.

In this regard, I would like to once again express my gratitude to my esteemed colleagues – Mr. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, and Mr. Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, for their personal contribution and active efforts in promoting the project.

Dear participants of the ceremony!

I would like to underscore the great impact that the construction of the new railway will have on the economies of our countries and our vast region.

This major infrastructure project envisages extensive cooperation with cutting-edge engineering, innovative and digital solutions, while complying with high environmental standards.

A total of 20 stations, 42 bridges and 25 tunnels will be built along the Kashgar – Torugart – Makmal – Jalal-Abad – Andijan route.

In addition, state-of-the-art transit and logistics infrastructure, as well as warehouses and terminals will be developed.

It is estimated that the commissioning of this road will have a multiplier effect on regional trade and investment, significantly reduce transport costs and unlock the enormous transit potential of Central Asia.

I would like to point out a few more figures.

The annual freight traffic along the corridor will total 15 million tons.

The distance and delivery time of goods from China to European markets will reduce by several thousand kilometers and almost a week.

There will be an opportunity to organize regular passenger traffic services.

In the long run, interlinking of this railway with the Trans-Afghan corridor will effectively connect and strengthen the transport and communication interconnectivity of China, Central and South Asia.

Obviously, all our countries will feel the economic benefits. Hundreds of new enterprises and tens of thousands of jobs will be created.

And, certainly, this project will facilitate the revival of the Great Silk Road, the development of cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and further bringing of our peoples closer together.

Dear friends!

Uzbekistan is committed to active participation in all stages of the construction of the railway, making full use of all available technical and intellectual resources.

I am convinced that with joint efforts this transport corridor will become another symbol of our strong friendship, partnership and progress.

On the eve of the New Year, I wish every success to the engineers, construction workers, and all those involved in the implementation of this strategic project. Today your hands are building the shared future of our countries and our region.

Thank you for your attention.

---

---

Events within the program of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to St. Petersburg have concluded.

Today, the Head of our state addressed the regular session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Yesterday, on December 25, the leader of Uzbekistan participated in the informal summit of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Having completed his working visit, the Head of our state departed from Pulkovo International Airport to Tashkent. The distinguished guest was seen off by the governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and other officials.

---

---

In a telephone conversation on December 26, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed deep condolences to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the numerous human losses as a result of a passenger airliner crash near the city of Aktau.

The Head of our state conveyed words of sincere compassion and support to the relatives and friends of the victims through the Azerbaijani leader, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured.

---

---

On December 25, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in an informal meeting of the CIS heads of state in the city of St. Petersburg.

The event was attended by President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In the course of the meeting the main results of joint work in 2024 were summarized and priority tasks of multilateral cooperation for the coming year were considered. 

The importance of developing joint measures to expand intra-regional trade and cooperation was emphasized, primarily through further elimination of barriers to mutual trade.

Opinions were exchanged on the prospects for the development of multifaceted partnership in new areas. These include the creation of engineering schools, development of Internet technologies, big data industry, creative economy, green energy and peaceful atom, implementation of digital solutions. 

Topical issues of the regional and international agenda, expansion of practical cooperation within the CIS in the fight against common challenges and threats were also discussed.

---

---

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived on a working visit to the Russian Federation.

At Pulkovo International Airport, the distinguished guest was met by the governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov and other officials.

Upon arrival the Head of our State, accompanied by the governor, took a walking tour of St. Isaac’s Square.

As part of the program of his visit in St. Petersburg, on December 25-26 the leader of Uzbekistan will take part in an informal meeting of CIS heads of state and a regular meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in the status of an observer.