Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference was held to discuss the parameters of the state budget for 2021.

The coronavirus pandemic has seriously affected many plans. As a result of the decisions taken and timely measures, the implementation of the budget parameters for the current year is ensured. This made it possible to channel 13.4 trillion soums to counter the pandemic.

At the meeting, the head of state stressed that when planning the budget for next year, one should take into account the ongoing pandemic and the decline in economic activity at the global level.

Measures to ensure macroeconomic stability and the forecast level of budget revenues were discussed. This requires achieving economic growth of at least 5.1 percent in 2021, including 5.8 percent in industry and 6.5 percent in services and construction. It is also important not to exceed the forecast indicators for inflation and budget deficit.

Responsible persons have been given appropriate instructions. It was noted that the reduction of the shadow economy and the legalization of 600,000 jobs, the integration of databases of 53 departments, and the expansion of the list of products subject to labeling may become an additional reserve for budget revenues.

It is also planned to increase production at large enterprises. For example, it is possible to ensure the receipt of an additional 500 billion soums of excise tax in the budget as a result of the full satisfaction of the needs of the economy and the population in natural gas, as well as streamlining payments in this area. It is expected that the budget will receive an additional 250 billion soums of value added tax due to the uninterrupted supply of electricity to the domestic market. The Ministry of Energy has been given appropriate instructions in this regard.

The Ministry of Transport was instructed to bring budget revenues to the 2019 indicators next year by resuming flights and opening new routes.

In the context of a pandemic in 2021, it is planned to increase social spending by at least 15 percent compared to the current year. In particular, it is planned to increase the level of coverage of children with preschool education to 70 percent, and the share of the private sector in this area - to 25 percent. The budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Public Education will be increased by 16 percent. For the first time, 100 billion soums will be allocated from the budget to connect schools to the Internet, as well as 200 billion soums for equipment.

In addition, next year, within the framework of the Concept for the Development of Science, twice as much funds will be allocated to the Fund for Innovative Development and Support of Innovative Ideas - 100 billion soums.

About 20 trillion soums are expected to be allocated to the healthcare sector, including 3 trillion soums for measures to combat coronavirus and 1.8 trillion for the purchase of medicines.

For the first time, about 90 billion soums will be allocated for oncohematology. In addition, 7 percent of the proceeds from the excise tax on tobacco products will be transferred to the Fund for the Promotion of the Recovery of Persons Suffering from Hematological Cancer and Intractable Diseases. Also, next year, for the first time, 130 billion soums will be allocated to bring the coverage of medical services to patients in need of hemodialysis to 100 percent.

At the meeting, special attention was paid to the issues of reducing poverty, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring employment of the population.

In order to reduce poverty, the number of low-income families receiving social benefits will be doubled compared to the beginning of 2020. It was emphasized that from 1 January of next year, the system for the distribution of social benefits should be fully automated by launching a single social register in all regions.

More than 3 trillion soums of subsidies are planned to be allocated within the framework of entrepreneurship support programs. In addition, 250 billion soums are planned to be directed to the Employment Promotion Fund and the same amount to the Public Works Fund.

It was noted that the number of low-income citizens should be reduced by creating new jobs and attracting the population to entrepreneurship.

In the coming year, for the first time, 30 billion soums will be allocated from the budget to provide housing for orphans. The officials were instructed to develop a new procedure for the provision of such housing and draw up lists of applicants.

The need to expand the powers of local kengash to form the budget is indicated. The regions must learn, it was noted at the meeting, to seek and use additional reserves, to solve social problems at their expense.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that budget expenditures should be transparent, ministries and departments, regions should spend every sum wisely.

Another important issue is strengthening financial discipline and control. The Ministry of Finance was instructed to strengthen the system of internal audit in organizations, to prevent illegal expenses and shortages.

From now on, the procedure for publishing the structure and performance of expenditures on the official websites of state bodies will be introduced, and managers who do not comply with this requirement will be fined. Control over this order will be carried out by the chambers of the Oliy Majlis and local councils.

The Deputy Prime Ministers have been tasked with formulating investment programs implemented through centralized, foreign and private investments.

At the meeting, officials reported on the risks on the way to the implementation of budget parameters by the end of this year and for the next year, as well as on the work being done to eliminate them.