Reform effectiveness and priority tasks in Khorezm Region reviewed

As noted, in recent years significant results have been achieved in many areas through the effective use of the region’s existing potential. Industrial output increased from 2.8 trillion soums in 2016 to 34.3 trillion soums, while the gross regional product reached 63 trillion soums. Last year, more than $1 billion in investment was attracted to the region.

However, the achieved indicators do not fully reflect the region’s potential. This is especially true in the tourism sector — in a region with a unique historical and cultural heritage, the average length of stay of tourists is limited to one to two days.

More than 1 million young people live in the region, and 35,000 young men and women enter the labor market each year. It was noted that the regional leadership must pay constant attention to their education and upbringing, their mastery of modern professions, and ensuring their employment. The task was set to develop new systemic approaches to raising a young generation worthy of such great figures as Jaloliddin Manguberdi, Beruni, Khorezmi and Zamakhshari.

Considering that 67 percent of the region’s population lives in rural areas, the importance of reducing unemployment and poverty by creating additional sources of income in rural districts was emphasized.

For example, at least 10,000 people could be lifted out of poverty by increasing pedigree livestock numbers in 135 mahallas across the Gurlen, Tuproqqala, Yangibazar and Koshkupyr districts, by specializing mahallas in the Urgench, Khanka, Koshkupyr and Shavat districts in the production of construction materials, textiles, crafts and furniture, and by establishing six industrial and service micro-centers in the Urgench, Koshkupyr, Khanka, Yangiaryk and Shavat districts.

Last year, the number of foreign and domestic tourists visiting the region reached 12.5 million. However, the volume and quality of services provided, the organization of new tourist routes, and the substantive enhancement of visitor sites remain insufficient.

The task was set to create service facilities in tourist mahallas in the city of Khiva, as well as in the Bagat and Khiva districts, and to develop and present to entrepreneurs a master plan for the creation of 14 bustling streets in 59 settlements.

Instructions were given to develop a comprehensive development program for the Suleimankala Fortress, covering an area of 10.8 hectares, as a new tourist site. Additionally, a master plan is to be developed for the organization of tourist and service facilities, as well as entertainment centers, along the Shavat Canal in the city of Urgench.

At the meeting, increasing investment and exports was identified as a priority task. The need to implement large-scale industrial projects through the effective use of the potential of the Khazarasp, Urgench, Shavat and Tuproqqala districts, as well as the city of Urgench, was emphasized.

The possibility of forming a unified machine-building cluster by increasing the capacity of the automobile plant in the city of Pitnak and raising the localization level to 62 percent was noted. In addition, new projects are planned in the chemical, textile and food industries in Khazarasp, as well as in the furniture and textile sectors in Shavat.

It was announced that $1.6 billion will be allocated for the modernization of the region's cities and districts, and the improvement of road and water infrastructure.

This year, the task has been set to increase the volume of foreign investment to $2 billion and exports to $510 million. This will allow for an increase in the gross regional product by 8.4 percent, industrial production by 9 percent, services by 16.2 percent and agriculture by 5.7 percent.

The reduction in the poverty level in the Khorezm region from 11.9 to 6.7 percent last year was the highest recorded in the republic. However, it was noted that the poverty rate still remains above the national average. In this regard, the main task has been defined as reducing unemployment and poverty to at least 3 percent by the end of the year.

At the same time, instructions were given to transform Khazarasp, Khanka, Shavat, Yangiaryk, Yangibazar, Tuproqqala, Khiva and the city of Urgench into territories free from unemployment and poverty.

At the conclusion of the meeting, responsible officials were given a number of specific instructions.

In particular, tasks were set for the reconstruction of 158 kilometers of canals in the Gurlen district, the allocation of 81 million dollars for business projects, the replacement of 270 pumping units with energy-efficient equipment, the financing of activities within the Uzbek–Turkmen border trade zone, and the allocation of 100 billion soums for the repair of social facilities and infrastructure.

The President instructed responsible officials to organize the work in a manner that brings tangible improvements to people’s lives and ensures results, as well as to adopt a targeted approach in each district and mahalla.