Speaking at the ceremony, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov offered 2012 as the Year Family, which was supported by the participants.

As reported earlier, 2011 was announced as the Year of small business and entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan and the Government approved special programme.

Islam Karimov underlined that Uzbekistan carried out great work on supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship in 2011. He said that the share of the sector in the GDP of Uzbekistan reached 54% and it employs 74% of active population.

Earlier, Uzbekistan announced 2010 as the Year of Harmonically Developed Generation, 2009 – the Year of Development and Accomplishment of Rural Area, 2008 – the Year of Youth, 2007 – the Year of Social Support, 2006 – the Year of Charity and Medical Workers and 2005 – the Year of Health.

The country observed the Year of Goodness and Charity in 2004, the Year of Mahalla in 2003, the Year of Protection interests of Elder people in 2002, the Year of Mother and Children in 2001, the Year of Healthy Generation in 2000, and the Year of Women in 1999, the Year of Family in 1998 and the Year of Human Interests in 1997.