10.11.2020

On November 10, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a videoconference meeting with government officials to address issues of socio-economic development of Karakalpakstan.

Earlier, at an emergency session of the Jokargy Kenes on October 2, the head of our state outlined tasks aimed at advancing each town and district and improving the life of the local population. To identify pressing issues and devise a new development program, the state of affairs in 37 thousand households and business entities was studied.

Building on the ensuing analysis, a 2020-2023 comprehensive development program for Karakalpakstan was worked out. In accordance with the scheme, new enterprises are provided with a number of tax benefits in order to boost the investment attractiveness of the region. In addition, privileges will be granted to newly established enterprises in the field of industry and services in Takhtakupir, Bozatau, Shumanai districts as well as 45 mahallas and auls lagging behind in development.

At the videoconference meeting, the participants discussed issues related to the systemic realization of actions delineated in the program.

In particular, taking into account the identified growth points of 17 districts and towns, a total of 1,359 investment projects worth 12.3 trillion soums have been formulated for implementation in 2020-2022. It is planned to attract 523 million dollars of direct foreign investments and create about 20 thousand new jobs.

The Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade was instructed to set up 27 industrial clusters operating under the scheme “from raw materials to finished products”.

The program defines a number of tasks in the field of agriculture and water management. That is, cultivation of export-oriented vegetable crops on 12 thousand hectares, where cotton farming is dismissed, reclamation of 36 thousand hectares of land retired from circulation and the formation of a free economic zone Korakalpok-agro, creation of sesame plantations and an increase in the number of pedigree livestock, specialization of the Khojeyli district for animal husbandry and vegetable growing.

Actions will also be taken to save 2.5 billion cubic meters of water a year. The President indicated the importance of repairing 14.2 thousand kilometers of canals, introducing water-saving technologies on 45 thousand hectares of sown areas, installing meters at water distribution points, laser leveling 38 thousand hectares of land.

Respective tasks have been set before the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources.

The program provides for a special approach to the development of Takhtakupir, Bozatau, Shumanai districts with a relatively low level of socio-economic development. In particular, 172 projects worth 409 billion soums are planned to be spearheaded in 2021-2023 to boost production and improve social infrastructure in these areas.

In addition, 150 projects worth 2 trillion 340 billion soums will be implemented in 45 mahallas and auls with difficult conditions. Interest payments on loans for these projects will be reimbursed from the Entrepreneurship Support Fund in the amount of 50 percent of the base interest rate of the Central Bank.

The head of state emphasized the importance of promoting the establishment of new businesses, providing employment and helping families out of poverty.

Apart from that, the meeting participants discussed issues of refining the appearance of districts and towns in Karakalpakstan, roads and housing construction.

The goal was set to build and repair 856 kilometers of highways in the next 3 years, lay 2.5 thousand kilometers of drinking water supply networks and bring the level of drinking water supply to 70 percent in the region. 235 houses with 7 thousand flats will be erected, including 2,084-apartment 36 affordable houses for young families and low-income people.

The issues analyzed included also the efforts designed to renew the city of Nukus, construct modern infrastructure facilities.

Regarding the health sector, the President urged the officials in charge to fully digitize the activities of rural medical stations and family polyclinics, set up healthcare teams and carry out screening of the population. The task was set to arrange lessons in schools using a new methodology and elevate the qualifications of teachers.

“In general, a new system of work organization and oversight will be created in Karakalpakstan. For this, a new committee has been formed in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis to develop the Aral Sea region, improve life and increase the income of the population,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Responsible executives reported on measures to ensure the implementation of the program.