During his visit to Khorezm region, the Head of State issued a number of instructions aimed at turning the region into a territory free from poverty and unemployment.
The presentation reviewed plans developed to implement these instructions in each mahalla, as well as measures to transform existing opportunities into concrete projects and sustainable jobs.
Since the beginning of this year, the incomes of 162,000 people in the region have increased, 29,000 citizens have secured permanent employment, and the informal employment of 37,000 people has been formalized.
As part of support measures for low-income families, more than 40,000 services were provided to 126,600 people from 28,900 families. In particular, 12,400 people secured permanent jobs, 23,600 were engaged in entrepreneurial activities, 3,300 received financial assistance, and 1,100 underwent vocational training.
As a result, since the beginning of the year, the official incomes and financial well-being of 127,000 people from 29,000 families included in the Social Registry have improved. These families have been lifted out of poverty. The poverty rate in the region declined from 6.7 percent at the beginning of the year to 3.9 percent.
Currently, the region has 39,000 unemployed citizens, while another 102,000 people are working abroad as labor migrants.
It was noted that one of the key employment challenges is the mismatch between available vacancies and the professional qualifications of job seekers. Although there are currently more than 50,000 vacancies, some remain unfilled due to a shortage of workers with the required skills.
The Head of State emphasized the need to revise the vocational training system and closely align it with labor market needs.
According to surveys, 63 percent of students at higher education institutions reported that they do not acquire sufficient practical skills during their studies. In this regard, instructions were given to strengthen practical training at secondary specialized and vocational education institutions and to make broader use of the capacities of higher education institutions for vocational training. The need to organize afternoon classes at universities aimed at developing students’ professional and practical skills was also highlighted.
The importance of introducing a new approach to poverty reduction, changing people’s attitudes toward work and entrepreneurship, and encouraging greater activity and initiative was emphasized.
A total of UZS 6.4 trillion was allocated for poverty reduction and employment promotion. Of UZS 2.1 trillion in commercial bank resources, UZS 1.5 trillion in loans was allocated for projects in mahallas. Thus, all mahallas in the region were covered by financial resources.
The President stressed that the practical contribution of banks to reducing unemployment and poverty should be reflected in concrete results achieved at the mahalla level. It was noted that banks should become “project factories,” transforming local opportunities and initiatives into specific business projects.
Attention was also paid to improving the effectiveness of the “mahalla seven” and mahalla bankers, as well as evaluating their performance based on specific outcome indicators. Instructions were given to develop new mechanisms defining their tasks, working methods, and areas of responsibility in poverty reduction.
During the presentation, plans were announced to lift 81,000 people from 18,000 low-income families out of poverty and provide permanent employment to 39,000 unemployed citizens by the end of the year.
“These are not just figures. We need to apply an individual approach to each person, clearly understand their capabilities and, based on this, find them decent employment,” the President said.
To achieve this, investment projects in industry, services, tourism, transport, agriculture, and construction will be utilized. A total of 250 new enterprises will be established in micro-industrial centers, projects involving mahalla bankers will be expanded, and measures will be taken to create new jobs and formalize entrepreneurial activities.
A total of 36 cooperative projects will be established in poultry farming, livestock breeding, fish farming, furniture production, greenhouse farming, and crop production, involving 15,800 low-income families from 201 mahallas.
In addition, 70 “locomotive” projects will be implemented in 12 anchor mahallas and 38 neighboring mahallas, creating 1,100 jobs. UZS 650 billion will be allocated for entrepreneurial projects, enabling the implementation of 2,500 microprojects.
The development plan for Shikhbogi mahalla in Yangiaryk district as an anchor mahalla was also reviewed. The Karmish, Sherobod, and Kattabog mahallas will also be covered. These communities have a combined population of 18,200 people and are home to 319 business entities.
An industrial zone, a micro-industrial center, a modern market, and service facilities are planned to be established in the anchor and surrounding mahallas. An intensive orchard will be developed, and livestock and poultry complexes will be launched. Internal roads, pedestrian walkways, as well as electricity and water supply infrastructure will also be improved.
With the participation of foreign consulting organizations, a master plan for the development of the area will be prepared, while the qualifications of local planners will also be upgraded. These measures are expected to create 1,500 sustainable jobs, increase household incomes by 20–30 percent, and make the area free from poverty and unemployment.
The Head of State emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the existing mechanisms and methodology for working with vulnerable and low-income groups. Proposals will be prepared to move Uzbekistan’s poverty reduction policy to a new stage and will be discussed at a separate videoconference meeting.
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