Assistants to the hokims are among people ("Oyok Bog" mahalla)

Bugun, 09:10
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Interview with Islombek Khudayberganov, Assistant to the Hokim of Urgench District, Khorezm Region in "Oyok Bog" mahalla.

Could you briefly tell us about yourself? How did your professional career begin, and how did you come to this position?

I graduated from Karakalpak State University with a degree in Economics from the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences. I began my career as a leading specialist in the credit department of the Karaul branch of Mikrokreditbank in our district. In the course of my work, I often had to communicate with entrepreneurs. Since 2022, I have been appointed assistant to the hokim on issues of entrepreneurship development, employment support, and poverty reduction in Oyok Bog citizens’ assembly of Urgench District, Khorezm Region. Undoubtedly, the experience I gained earlier helps me in my current work as assistant to the hokim.

How would you describe the profile of the mahalla? Who lives there, and how do residents earn their income?

A total of 2,856 people live in the area, including 1,455 women. The mahalla has 579 households and 878 families. Oyok Bog citizens’ assembly has a total of 11.4 km of internal roads, most of which are asphalted. Our mahalla also has two preschool educational institutions established on the basis of public-private partnership, as well as a family medical center. There are also several industrial enterprises. Most of the population in our area is engaged in farming, mainly growing greens on household plots and leased land, with subsequent sale at markets.

What difficulties did you face at the very beginning of your work, and how did you manage to overcome them?

The greatest difficulty at the beginning was finding the right solutions to people’s problems in order to earn their trust. To achieve this, we established open dialogue with the population and carefully studied each request on-site. Together with the relevant government agencies, we resolved existing issues, and gradually people’s trust in me began to grow.

You are constantly aware of the situation in the mahalla. What economic opportunities were identified in the mahalla as a result of the studies conducted?

As a result of the household-by-household study, we first identified the opportunities available to families in the area, the professional skills of citizens, and whether they were interested in farming and entrepreneurship. Based on this, it was established that the main problem faced by the mahalla population was a shortage of land plots for agricultural activity, and measures were taken to allocate land accordingly. Taking into account the area’s potential, the task was set to increase the production of greens, and this was implemented under the relevant programs.

What is the main economic driver of your mahalla’s development? Why were these particular areas selected? What measures are being taken to accelerate their development?

The main economic driver of our mahalla’s development is farming, particularly the cultivation of greens. This is because the land plots in the area are naturally favorable for developing this sector. To accelerate the development of these areas, the population was provided with preferential loans and subsidies, and vocational skills training was organized. In addition, cooperation with experienced farmers was established, while trade and economic ties for the sale of grown products were developed not only with domestic markets but also with neighboring countries.

What opportunities exist in your mahalla for entrepreneurship development? How many new enterprises have been created over the past period, and how many individual entrepreneurs have been provided with work?

Based on the results of the household-by-household study of the mahalla, it was identified that 86 families were interested in entrepreneurship, and assistance was provided to them in organizing businesses under the relevant programs. During this period, 28 new small enterprises were created, while 43 citizens were registered as individual entrepreneurs, enabling 146 people to obtain a stable source of income.

In addition, practical assistance was provided to mahalla entrepreneurs in obtaining preferential loans and subsidies, vocational training courses were organized, and support was provided in accessing markets and electronic trading platforms for the sale of products and services. These measures made a significant contribution to the growth of entrepreneurial activity in the mahalla.