03.04.2024

On April 3, an extraordinary session of the Tashkent City Council of People’s Deputies was held, attended by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President began his speech by expressing his satisfaction at having met with the citizens of the capital and highlighted current issues. He stressed the importance of minimizing the negative impact of the current global economic situation, including in partner countries, on the economy and incomes of the citizens of our country.

The President stated that for any building to withstand external influences, its foundation must be strong. The foundation of our country is the makhalla. If the economic situation in the makhallas is robust, with increased income for the people, good housing, a calm environment for the future, and opportunities for education, then there will be stability and progress. He highlighted the sluggishness in the activities of responsible officials and the untapped opportunities in the districts.

In the city of Tashkent, for instance, there are many investors and entrepreneurs interested in undertaking projects, but there is limited land available. The President suggested that conditions could be created by registering unused land, holding auctions for 979 plots of land, and allocating 175 hectares of land from agriculture to industry and housing.

In Yangihayot district, a special industrial zone called “Yangi avlod (New Generation)” is being created on 764 hectares of land. Domestic and foreign entrepreneurs have proposed projects worth US$2.5 billion that could create tens of thousands of jobs.

Despite 98,000 available job vacancies in enterprises and organizations in the capital, there are still 80,000 unemployed among the working population.

The President stressed the need to ensure public safety and to overhaul law enforcement procedures based on a new approach. He mentioned that there is a lot of work to be done to further improve the lives of the residents of Tashkent.

An organizational matter was raised during the meeting. The President recommended Shavkat Umurzakov, Acting Mayor of the city of Tashkent, for the post of Mayor of the city.

Shavkat Umurzakov, born in 1979 in Tashkent, previously worked in the prosecutor’s system and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Joint Stock Company “Uzavtosanoat” from 2018 to 2023. He has been acting mayor of Tashkent since March last year. After discussing Umurzakov’s candidacy and hearing the opinions from people’s deputies and public representatives, he was confirmed as the Khokim of the city of Tashkent.

The President emphasized that there are sufficient opportunities and resources to achieve results in Tashkent. He called on the mayors of cities and districts, as well as representatives of the business complex, to work diligently and make significant progress.

During the meeting, the economic and social development opportunities of the city were analyzed using the example of Yunusabad district.

Over the past seven years, the district has attracted US$1.7 billion in foreign investments resulting in the establishment of 3,5 thousand enterprises, trade, and service facilities, and the creation of 20,000 jobs. In addition, 6,000 new housing units, 8,000 student places and three universities were built in the district.

Yunusabad is the largest district by area and the second largest by number of the population in Tashkent, with 64 makhallas and 376,000 inhabitants.

Although Yunusabad leads in tax revenue, its per capita income is not high and it ranks last in terms of industrial share in the capital.

The President highlighted the untapped opportunities for increasing the income of the population.

He proposed the establishment of nine bank branches in Yunusabad district to bridge the gap between major customers and 64 makhallas. Increased family income would lead to higher demand for products from entrepreneurs with bank clients, creating a win-win situation.

The banks were made responsible for increasing people's incomes and supporting sustainable economic growth in the district. Loan percentages would be deducted for customers who create jobs, and the governor's assistants would provide training for the unemployed at the request of entrepreneurs.

The relevant officials have been instructed to create a 'Yunusabad Experience' to support entrepreneurship and improve the welfare of the population.

Due to its convenient location, Yunusabad has many 'growth points' for business. To attract new investment, commercial, service and hospitality projects can be developed on the basis of old or government buildings, creating 7,000 high-paying jobs.

In the context of limited land, there is a need to develop industry and commerce through vertical expansion of infrastructure. In particular, there are opportunities to expand dekhkan markets by increasing the number of floors. Reconstruction of buildings in the small industrial zone to 3-4 storeys will provide an additional 200,000 square metres of space.

Thousands of jobs can be created in the social services sector by increasing the number of public-private partnership projects. For example, the construction of a new building for City Hospital No. 7 will allow the vacated land to be used for the construction of a 420-bed multidisciplinary clinic with the participation of Korean investors.

Studies in Yunusabad have identified opportunities to attract US$600 million in investment and create 35,000 high-paying jobs.

The government was instructed to study all districts and take measures to create 250,000 high-paying jobs in Tashkent and attract US$2 billion in investment.

The President stressed the importance of introducing advanced foreign experience in various sectors such as industry, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and utilities.

Special attention will be paid to the issue of improving the makhalla. In the spirit of national traditions, it is important to intensify work on greening streets and yards and keeping the area clean under the leadership of makhalla chairmen and representatives of the older generation.

In order to stimulate activity in this area, the President announced a competition and suggested that an electric car be donated to the most exemplary makhalla at the end of the year. This proposal was well received and applauded.

At the end of the meeting, the President held a discussion with People's Deputies, Makhalla Chairmen, intellectuals and young people.