The President of Uzbekistan has set a goal to make Karakalpakstan a region free from unemployment

A meeting was held in Kegeyli district, where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived today, to discuss issues of economic and social development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of state, at the beginning of the event, 6 new enterprises were launched – Beruniy Bugdoy Cluster and Raykhon Apparel of Beruniy district, Korakalpak Cement of Karauzak district, where the third stage is being launched, KKRasi Chemical of Kungrad district, Azimut Hotel of Nukus city and Khozagro of Turtkul district. Their representatives told about their capabilities via videoconference. In total, 1.1 thousand permanent jobs will be created at these enterprises. Their activities will add 300 billion UZS to regional production, and $20 million to exports.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pressed a symbolic button and commissioned new enterprises.

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

In general, during this period, the industry of Karakalpakstan has grown 1.3 times. The production of 61 types of new products has been mastered. In particular, the production of chemical products, building materials, food, textile and clothing, pharmaceutical products has increased by more than 2 times.

On August 31 last year, the Decree of the Head of state “On additional measures to improve the welfare of the population of the Republic of Karakalpakstan through 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 UZS and $340 million were allocated in 2023.

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

Entrepreneurs of this region are provided with a guarantee of up to 75 percent of the loan amount by the Entrepreneurship Fund. Such opportunities provided an additional impetus to the development of industries.

“We are one nation and one country! All regions strive to contribute to the development of Karakalpakstan. Ministers, regional hokims, heads of departments and banks are assigned to each district. The results of this can be seen in all districts and this work will not stop”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

At the meeting, the Head of state announced three new initiatives aimed at further improving the welfare of Karakalpakstan people.

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

Second, 38 thousand of residential and non-residential objects that do not have a cadastre will be issued the appropriate documents for real estate.

Third, taking into account the demand of the population, 4,000 houses will be built this year. In addition, residents of the country 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. 43 thousand young people enter the labor market every year. Taking this into account, the goal is set to create 193 thousand of jobs and make Karakalpakstan a region free from unemployment. In this regard, opportunities were noted at large enterprises and in clusters, in the mining industry, family entrepreneurship, home-based work and agriculture.

In 2022, 6.6 thousand hectares of land were allocated to the population to ensure the abundance and availability of food products. This year, another 6 thousand hectares are allocated, which will cover the need for such everyday products as carrots, onions and potatoes. On 100 thousand hectares in Ellikkala, Turtkul and Beruniy 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 Karakalpakstan, the number of students in 51 schools exceeds the norm by 2 times. The drinking water supply in 208 mahallas is unsatisfactory. 120 kilometers of highways and 600 kilometers of the busiest internal roads need to be repaired. Therefore, it was decided to allocate additional funds for the construction of preschool education institutions, repair of schools and hospitals, including heat supply in 9 districts.

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

Representatives of Karakalpakstan people noted that achieving these goals is a common cause, the results will be even better if everyone works together.
“Dunyo” IA