Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A meeting was held in Kegeyli district to discuss issues of economic and social development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

At the beginning of the event, 6 new enterprises were launched - Beruniy Bugdoy Cluster and Raykhon Apparel of Beruni district, Korakalpak cement of Karauzyak district, where the third stage is being launched, KKRasi Chemical of Kungrad district, Azimut wanted of the city of Nukus and Khozagro in Turtkul district. Their representatives spoke via video link about their capabilities. In total, these enterprises will create 1.1 thousand permanent jobs, their activities will add 300 billion soums to regional production, and US$20 million to exports.

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

The economy of the Republic of Karakalpakstan is developing dynamically. Over the past six years, more than 5.3 thousand projects have been implemented in the region with an investment of 15 trillion soums. The number of entrepreneurs has doubled, 46,000 permanent jobs have been created. Production in 6 regions, which previously had a low level of industry, increased by 2-3 times, their share in the region reached 12 percent.

In general, during this period, the industry of Karakalpakstan grew 1.3 times, the production of 61 types of new products was mastered. In particular, the production of chemical products, building materials, food products, textile and clothing, and pharmaceutical products more than doubled.

On 31 August 2022, the Decree of the head of our state “On additional measures to improve the welfare of the population of the Republic of Karakalpakstan through the accelerated development of entrepreneurship, innovative technologies and infrastructures” and a large-scale program for the implementation of this document were adopted. In accordance with them, 670 billion soums and US$340 million were allocated in 2023.

In order to create an attractive business environment for entrepreneurs, taxes on profits, turnover, land and property taxes have been reduced by 2 times, social tax has been set at 1 percent. Thanks to this, 500 billion soums a year remain at the disposal of Karakalpakstan entrepreneurs.

The Entrepreneurship Fund provides entrepreneurs in this region only with a guarantee of up to 75 percent of the loan amount. Such opportunities gave an additional impetus to the development of industries.

We are one people and one country! All regions strive to contribute to the development of Karakalpakstan. Ministers, khokims of regions, heads of departments and banks are assigned to each district. The results of this are visible in all regions and this work will not stop, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

At the meeting, the head of our state announced three new initiatives aimed at further improving the well-being of the people of Karakalpakstan.

First, additional funds in the amount of 500 million soums will be allocated to each of the 452 mahallas of Karakalpakstan. For this, a separate fund will be created to support the mahallas of Karakalpakstan, to which 250 billion soums will be transferred this year.

Second, 38,000 residential and non-residential properties that do not have a cadastre will be issued the relevant documents for real estate.

Thirdly, taking into account the demand of the population, 4,000 houses will be built this year. In addition, the residents of the republic will be allocated 4 acres of land for the construction of 4 thousand individual houses according to a modern project.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to the issues of increasing jobs, ensuring food security, and improving social infrastructure.

There are 72 thousand officially unemployed in Karakalpakstan. Every year, 43,000 young people enter the labor market. With this in mind, the goal was to create 193 thousand jobs and make Karakalpakstan a region free from unemployment. In this regard, opportunities are indicated in large enterprises and clusters, in the mining industry, family business, homeworking and agriculture.

In 2022, 6.6 thousand hectares of land were allocated to the population to ensure the abundance and availability of food products. Another 6,000 hectares are allocated this year to cover the need for everyday products such as carrots, onions and potatoes. On 100 thousand hectares in Ellikkala, Turtkul and Beruni districts, water supply will be improved by concreting the Buston canal. Along the perimeter of the fields, on an area of 3.6 thousand hectares, pumpkin, grapes and vegetables will be grown, a total of 42 thousand tons of products.

In 51 schools in Karakalpakstan, the number of students exceeds the norm by 2 times. Drinking water supply in 208 mahallas is unsatisfactory. 120 kilometers of highways and 600 kilometers of the busiest internal roads are in need of repair. Therefore, it was decided to allocate additional funds for the construction of preschool educational institutions, the repair of schools and hospitals, including for heat supply in 9 districts

Instructions were also given on repairing roads and taking measures to eliminate the shortage of electricity.

Representatives of the public of Karakalpakstan stressed that the achievement of these goals is a common cause, the results will be even better if everyone works together.