Speaking at the ceremony on handing over state awards to group of citizens, Uzbek leader said despite ongoing global financial-economic crisis economic development is decreasing in many states, while Uzbekistan keeps sustainable development growth.

Uzbek leader said: “This is proved with that the economic growth this year, on preliminary estimates, will make up 8.5%. I am sure that the growth rate will be high in 2011 as well.”

Islam Karimov said that Uzbekistan faced weather problems, but added that 2010 was overall favourable. He said that Uzbek farmers collected 7 million tonnes of grain and 3.4 million tonnes of cotton, of which 90% were high grade.