Protecting public health and economic stability are top priorities

    Uzbekistan 20 July 2020 5008

    A videoconference on preventing the spread of coronavirus infection and ensuring economic stability in the regions has been also held today under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

    At the beginning of this year, Uzbekistan and people set great goals for themselves. In March, the coronavirus, which had spread to the whole world, also spread in Uzbekistan, which changed plans. Protecting public health has become main priority for the state.
    Special Republican Commission has been established. Medical facilities have been placed in emergency mode. A special hospital and quarantine zones were built in a short time. Sanatoriums and camps are adapted for special institutions. Necessary funds were allocated from the budget to provide medicines, protective equipment and diagnostics.
    During these five months, the President has signed a number of decrees and resolutions related to countering the coronavirus. In accordance with them, the population, economic sectors and business entities receive all possible support.
    The Head of the state keeps the epidemiological situation under constant control. Almost every meeting is dedicated to this issue. As is known, the situation with coronavirus in Tashkent and Tashkent region was previously comprehensively analyzed.

    The situation in the regions and current measures were discussed at the meeting.
    Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regional khokims reported on the incidence rates, the number of patients being treated and created reserve of beds. The situation with the response to requests from the population, emergency services work and drug provision was analyzed.
    Problems at places were openly discussed at the meeting. Measures were outlined to meet the needs of regions for equipment and means to combat the pandemic.
    The President instructed responsible persons to monitor the situation in real time and promptly solve any problems that arise.
    The importance of high-quality and safe organization of treatment, as well as prevention of disease transmission, providing population and institutions with disinfectants, was noted.
    Based on the needs of each region, medicine supply sources, medical devices and test systems, as well as financial incentives for medical workers have been identified.

    Heads of regions also reported on the results of their work on sustainable economic development in the context of pandemic, attracting investment and increasing exports in the first half of the year.
    Measures taken to assess the impact of ongoing pandemic on the economy, ensure macroeconomic stability, timely implementation of investment projects, meet forecasts in agriculture, industry and construction, increase exports, comprehensive regional development and support for entrepreneurship were considered.
    Noting the decline in revenue at enterprises in each region, the Head of the state instructed to restore the activities of most construction and industrial enterprises by October 1, 2020 and all enterprises by the end of the year.
    Economic forecasts for agricultural sector also failed to be met in a number of regions. In particular, the volume of gross agricultural product in Karakalpakstan was 59 billion UZS lower than the forecast. This figure is 177 billion UZS in Kashkadarya region, 173 billion in Syrdarya region and 129 billion in Tashkent region.
    Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave instructions on filling gaps in the procurement of vegetables and melons through repeated areas, speeding up the distribution of poultry to households, extensive use of intensive technologies in animal husbandry and fishing, increasing agricultural production by 3-4 percent by the end of the year.