Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A significant part of the Uzbekistan-2030 strategy is aimed precisely at equalizing the level and living conditions of the population throughout Uzbekistan, including the most remote places and regions. Its main goal is to provide decent living conditions for all residents of Uzbekistan, regardless of their place of residence. This was stated by CERR director Obid Khakimov during a round table on joint consultations on a draft new strategy.

On 11 August 2023, an international round table began its work in Tashkent on the topic: "Joint consultations on the discussion of the draft strategy "Uzbekistan-2030" in the context of the sustainable development goals." The round table was organized by the Development Strategy Center, the Agency for Strategic Reforms and the UN Office in Uzbekistan.

Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) Obid Khakimov made a presentation at the event. Based on the provisions of the new strategy, it was noted that a total of 17 goals have been set until 2030 to ensure the well-being of the population through sustainable economic growth.

In particular, a two-fold increase in the economy was determined, bringing the volume of the gross domestic product (GDP) to US$160 billion and the volume of GDP per capita from the current US$2,200 to US$4,000.

“In order to achieve these results, systemic transformations will continue to increase the role of the private sector in the economy, which will give it greater flexibility and dynamism. As a result, Uzbekistan will be included in the list of "countries with an upper middle income." By ensuring the balance of the market for goods and services, the annual inflation rate will not exceed 5-6%, and the share of the non-state sector in the economy will be increased to 85%,” the expert noted.

In recent years, much attention has been paid to housing construction.

Over the past six years, about 300 thousand apartments and individual houses have been built, which is 10 times more than in previous years.

Speaking about the planned plans for housing construction, it was noted that an additional 1 million housing units will be commissioned in the regions, and at least 140 thousand social houses will be built as part of the My First Home program.

Qualitative improvement of the system of social protection that has been formed by now is also envisaged. Measures will be taken to reduce poverty by 2 times by 2026 and to sharply reduce it to 5% by 2030. In this regard, the goals of providing employment on the basis of family business for the transition from simple "manual labor" to the stage of industrial production have been determined.

Particular attention in the social block of the new program is given to reducing the unemployment rate among young people from 14 to 6%. Measures will also be taken to ensure the employment of an additional 1 million young people by 2030 through the development of industries.

The experts analyzed specific tasks to strengthen the export potential of the national economy and increase the share of high value-added products in its structure.

“The strategy provides for measures to support exports with a doubling of its volume to US$45 billion, which will more than double the export volume achieved in 2022 of US$19 billion,” said the director of the CERR.

The project defines specific goals aimed at increasing productivity and profitability in agriculture with the use of modern water-saving technologies. Thus, it is expected to increase the level of provision with local vegetables, potatoes and potato seeds from the current 15% to 50%.

In order to prevent losses in water supply, a program will be developed to introduce a closed system of pipelines based on the experience of Turkey. In addition, in the next seven years, water supply will cover an additional 1.2 million hectares of land.

It is planned to carry out a number of works in the direction of the integrated development of the territories. “In the next seven years, the level of urbanization will be increased from the current 51% to 60%, and the first steps in this direction have already been taken. At present, we have moved from the construction of massifs to the construction of cities in densely populated areas,” O. Khakimov said.

In turn, based on the needs of business and the population, new approaches to infrastructure development will be introduced. Thus, it is planned to provide all settlements with 100% clean drinking water, as well as to increase the share of electrified railways from 43% in 2022 to 65% by 2030.

US$6 billion will be allocated for the construction and reconstruction of 56 thousand kilometers of roads with the participation of the private sector.

Thus, in the new seven-year strategy covering 5 directions and 100 goals, 17 directly relate to the economic development of the country. all those areas in which the most active work has been carried out in recent years are preserved, but the criteria and guidelines for them have been significantly expanded in comparison with what has already been done and in comparison with the previously set goals.