27.07.2023

There are dozens of production facilities operating effectively in the free economic zone "Kokand". "BNBM Building Materials Central Asia" enterprise has recently opened here.

During his visit to Fergana Region, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the activities of the enterprise.

The project has received $30 million of foreign direct investment, and the production of gypsum plasterboard and its decorative types has been set up with a capacity of 30 million and 4 million square meters a year respectively. 200 new jobs were created.

Besides, a ceremony of launching new production facilities in Fergana Region was held. These are the enterprises "Fargona Yasin Kurilish Mollari" in Besharyk district, "Mollis" and "Proker" in Uchkupriki district, "Chinor Plus - 2020" in Rishtan district, "Expo Collor prin tex" in Tashlak district, "Bakhodir Logon Textile" in Fergana district, "Cement Khomashyo Savdosi" in Uzbekistan district, "Global Textile Infinity" in Kushtepa district, as well as branches of scientific and practical centers of emergency medical care and cardiology.

Thereafter, the President chaired a meeting on investment attraction, industry and entrepreneurship development. The government of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, khokims of all regions and districts joined the meeting via video link.

Grand plans to improve the population's life, attract active investments into the economy of the region, and increase the incomes of Ferghana residents were outlined at the pre-election meeting.

“The minister or khokim thinking that we have seven more years ahead and that it is possible to start work next year is deeply mistaken. Because our people are already waiting for concrete results on each initiative suggested in the election programs. If the working process from the authorities to the mahalla does not change, if leaders at all levels do not learn to work on the principle of "every new day is a new opportunity", we will lose time," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The President noted that the indicators of some districts and cities of Fergana Region in attracting foreign direct investment are unsatisfactory.

For example, only $25 million was invested in Fergana during six months last year, and now this figure is even lower - $12 million. The volume of direct foreign investments in Margilan, Uzbekistan, Baghdad, Tashlak districts is less than half of last year's figure.

It is indicated that Fergana, which occupied one of the leading places in industry, has now fallen to the 12th place in the republic. The industrial potential is underutilized.

For example, during the first half of the year the volume of industrial production decreased by 17 % in Tashlak, by 3 % in Kokand, by 1.3 % in Altyaryk, and by 1.2 % in Kuva.

The provision of the population with affordable housing is deplorable. Only 42 out of 212 houses, which were planned to be built in the region this year, have been put into operation.

The development of the service sector in the region is also unsatisfactory.

The number of regional enterprises that have ceased operations for six months of 2022 was 2.5 thousand, and today this figure has reached 14.5 thousand.

At the beginning of the year, 60 districts of the republic were included in the fourth and fifth categories, and a separate program for their economic development was launched. In Fergana, entrepreneurs of Furkat, Yazyavan and Sokh districts included in these categories have used tax benefits worth 30 billion Uzbek soums over the past six months. However, instead of improving the situation, the income of entrepreneurs decreased compared to last year.

Besides, they criticized the fact that large areas in industrial zones are vacant, khokims of 19 districts and cities of the region do not use the available opportunities, offering unused plots to entrepreneurs.

"Provided plenty of vacant places, khokims do not tire of requesting to change the agricultural category of land to industrial. Unfortunately, there are cases of privatizing state-owned industrial facilities and building individual housing on their territory in the region," the President said.

The Prosecutor General's Office and the Cadastral Agency have been tasked to investigate such cases and ensure the rule of law. It has been determined that from now on decisions to change the category of industrial land will be taken only with the consent of the Government Commission.

It was emphasized that the work on granting crop lands for lease is organized "for a tick", plots located far from the residential area or water sources are allocated. According to the results of surveys, 32 % of lessees did not receive any assistance from district khokimiyats. It was noted that the measures taken to curb inflation and ensure price stability in the markets are also unsatisfactory.

A number of regional, city and district level officials were dismissed from their posts due to serious shortcomings in their activities and improper organization of work.

In order to identify untapped opportunities of the region and their realization, the responsible officials of the republican level were assigned to each district and city. They have identified additional reserves for $2 billion, met with entrepreneurs and formed projects.

“If khokims make time, meet with entrepreneurs, understand their problems, listen to their initiatives, then all districts of the region will easily be able to attract at least $100 million of investment by the end of the year, - the President said.

The President showed these opportunities on the example of Kuva and Besharyk districts.

The President announced a mobilization in all regions until the end of the year to implement the experiment launched in Fergana. The task is to take measures to attract at least $100 million to each district by the end of the year.

In connection with the increase of minimum consumer expenses from 500 thousand to 570 thousand Uzbek soums, additional 9 thousand Fergana families fall under the category of low-income. In this regard, it was instructed to assign assistant khokims to each such family and take measures to increase their incomes.

It was assigned to replace 1157 hectares of cultivated lands, which were put up for auction for agriculture, but remained unclaimed, with plots convenient for the population and to create at least 15 thousand jobs on these lands.

At the end of the meeting, the reports of the heads of regions and spheres were presented.