Efforts to improve the quality of life for the population continue to expand in scope. This year, it is planned to lay 1,619 kilometers of water supply networks and 521 kilometers of sewage networks and to build and reconstruct 162 infrastructure facilities. As a result, 715,000 people will gain access to clean drinking water for the first time, 135,000 households will be connected to sewage systems, and 157,000 consumers will receive modern metering devices.
As part of the recent visit by the Head of state to France, agreements were reached regarding implementing three water supply projects in Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions totaling 340 million euros. In particular, the French company Suez will assume private management of the drinking water systems in Denau, Shurchi, Sariasiya, and Kumkurgan. This cooperation is expected to help increase the centralized water supply coverage in the region to 90 percent.
The availability of sewage systems is essential in developing construction, industry, and the service sector. Each year, trillions of soums are allocated from the state budget to expand these systems. However, it is also necessary to actively engage the private sector in this field.
For example, a local entrepreneur, with the support of the Asian Development Bank, is constructing wastewater treatment facilities in the cities of Almalyk, Bekabad, Angren, and Chirchik. Another entrepreneur has proposed taking over the private management of water supply and sewage services in two districts of Andijan region.
The importance of expanding such public-private partnerships and increasing opportunities for local companies to participate in international tenders was emphasized.
A decision was made to simplify implementing projects involving international financial institutions. Instructions were issued to expedite tender procedures, with plans to complete projects valued at $850 million by the end of this year.
Another essential task is digitalizing the utilities sector. In this regard, $125 million will be attracted from the Asian Development Bank. Over the next five years, it is planned to install 4,800 smart meters and 2,800 telemetry systems at major hydraulic structures and main pipelines.
It was noted that this initiative will create significant market opportunities for the electrical engineering industry. Instructions have been issued to transfer meter maintenance services to the private sector gradually.
Heating supply is among the most gas-intensive sectors. Therefore, on March 11, the President signed a resolution initiating comprehensive reforms in the heating sector and enhancing energy efficiency. According to the resolution, a single company, Issiqlik Ta’minoti, has been established, uniting 23 regional heating supply organizations. Over the next five years, 19 trillion UZS will be invested in restoring and modernizing heating supply systems. As a result, the coverage of centralized heating supply will increase from 37% to 58%.
The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services has been tasked with developing a program to enhance energy efficiency in apartment buildings and social institutions. It was noted that 9,000 residential buildings and social facilities will transition to a closed-loop heating system. This measure is expected to reduce heat loss by half and cut gas consumption by 20%.
The meeting also addressed issues related to spring planting, including measures aimed at simplifying land allocation from the reserve funds of local hokimiyats.
From now on, installment sales of agricultural land through auctions will be discontinued. The price of unsold lots will decrease by 10% daily. If only one participant is present at the subsequent auction, they will automatically be declared the winner. Additionally, 10 to 20% of allocated lands will be dedicated to cultivating fodder crops for livestock breeding.
Currently, the activities of over 93,000 farmers are evaluated based on an entrepreneur rating system. This rating will now be divided into distinct indicators, such as productivity, employee numbers, and production volumes.
Farmers with high-performance ratings will no longer be required to insure against loan default risks. Additionally, their land tax will be reduced threefold, and membership fees to the Farmers’ Council will be halved. Farmers who achieve above-average harvests in cotton and grain crops will be permitted to utilize up to 25% of their land for crop rotation with fodder plants, vegetables, legumes, and other crops.
The meeting also addressed ongoing efforts to develop household gardening and mahalla landscaping as part of the month-long landscaping initiative announced by Presidential decree.
This spring, 125 million seedlings will be planted. The President emphasized the importance of properly selecting planting locations and enhancing irrigation systems. In particular, water reservoirs with geomembrane lining will be constructed in mahallas, experiencing limited water supply.
Last year, 208 mahallas launched pilot projects establishing local service companies that provide residents with 23 different types of services. This year, the initiative will be expanded considerably, with plans to create an additional 1,000 such companies and increase the range of offered services to 30. Additionally, based on Chinese expertise, 5,000 specialists will undergo training for mahallas maintenance, creating employment opportunities for approximately 15,000 individuals.
From this year onward, special units dedicated to maintaining internal roads have been established within the public improvement departments of 208 districts and cities. An additional 700 billion UZS have been allocated to acquire specialized equipment. Instructions have also been issued for repairing internal roads and improving the electricity supply in mahallas.
At the meeting, reports were presented by Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, and hokims.
