30.03.2023

A meeting on discussing issues of economic and social development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan took place in Kegeyli District.

At the beginning of the event, six new enterprises were launched, such as «Beruniy Bugdoy Cluster» and «Raykhon Apparel» in Beruniy District, «Karakalpak Cement» in Karauzyak District, where the third phase is launched, «KKRasi Chemical» in Kungrad District, «Azimut Hotel» in Nukus city and «Khozagro» in Turtkul District. Their representatives told about their capabilities over a video call. These enterprises will create 1,1 thousand permanent jobs in total. Their activities will add 300 billion Uzbek soums to the regional production and $20 million to exports.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pressed a symbolic button and launched the new enterprises.

The economy of the Republic of Karakalpakstan is developing rapidly. In the last six years, more than 5,3 thousand projects with the investment volume of 15 trillion Uzbek soums have been implemented in the region. The number of entrepreneurs has doubled, 46 thousand permanent jobs have been created. The production in six districts with a low level of industry has increased by 2-3 times. Their share in the region has reached 12%.

In general, during this period, the industry in Karakalpakstan has grown 1,3 times, and the production of 61 types of new products has been developed. In particular, the production of chemical products, construction materials, food, textile and garment, as well as pharmaceutical goods has increased more than twofold.

On August 31, last year, a Decree of the President of Uzbekistan «On Additional Measures on Improvement of Living Conditions of Population of the Republic of Karakalpakstan by Acceleration of Development of Entrepreneurship, Innovative Technologies and Infrastructure» was adopted, and a large-scale program on the implementation of this document was carried out. In accordance with these measures, 670 billion Uzbek soums and $340 million dollars have been allocated in 2023.

With an aim to create attractive business environment for entrepreneurs, the profit and turnover taxes, land and property taxes were halved, social tax was set to be 1%. As a result, Karakalpakstan entrepreneurs are left with 500 billion Uzbek soums a year at their disposal.

The Entrepreneurship Fund provides businesses in this region with a guarantee for up to 75% of the amount of loans. Such opportunities have given an additional momentum to the development of industries.

«We are one nation and one country! All regions are eager to make their contribution to the development of Karakalpakstan. The ministers, regional khokims, heads of public offices and banks are attached to each district. We can see the results in all regions and this work shall not stop», Shavkat Mirziyoyev has said.

At the meeting, the President voiced three new initiatives aimed at further improvement of living conditions of the Karakalpakstan people.

First, additional funds totaling 500 million Uzbek soums will be provided to each of 452 makhallas of Karakalpakstan. For this purpose, a separate fund to support the Karakalpakstan makhallas will be established to which 250 billion Uzbek soums will be allocated this year.

Second, the 38 thousand residential and non-residential properties without cadaster will be provided with relevant real estate documents.

Third, taking into consideration the demand, this year, 4 thousand houses will be built. In addition, the residents of the republic will be given 4 hundred square meters of land to build 4 thousand modernly designed individual houses.

A particular attention at the meeting was paid to creating jobs, ensuring food security, and improving social infrastructure.

There are 72 thousand officially unemployed in Karakalpakstan. Every year, 43 thousand young people enter the labor market. With this in mind, the goal to create 193 thousand jobs and turn Karakalpakstan into a region free of unemployment has been set. In this regard, opportunities in large enterprises and clusters, in mining, family entrepreneurship, home-based work and agriculture were stressed.

In 2022, an additional 6,6 thousand hectares of land were allocated to people for ensuring the abundant and affordable food. This year, another 6 thousand hectares will be allocated, which would cover the need for daily products such as carrots, onions and potatoes. The water supply will be improved on 100 thousand hectares in Ellikkala, Turtkul and Beruniy districts by concreting the Buston canal. Along the perimeter of the fields, on an area of 3,6 thousand hectares, pumpkins, grapes and vegetables will be cultivated, a total of 42 thousand tons of products.

In Karakalpakstan, 51 schools have over twice the normal number of students. The potable water supply in 208 makhallas is unsatisfactory. 120 kilometers of roads and 600 kilometers of the busiest internal roads need repair. Therefore, it was decided to allocate additional funds for the construction of pre-school educational institutions, repair of schools and hospitals, including heating systems in nine districts.

The instructions to repair roads and take measures to eliminate the shortages of electricity were given.

The public representatives of Karakalpakstan emphasized that the achievement of these goals is a common cause, the outcomes will be better if everyone will work together.