On August 27, a ceremony was held in Tashkent to present these awards.
The Head of State congratulated everyone on Independence Day and spoke in detail about the essence of the ongoing reforms and the results achieved.
“Today we can all see the tremendous results of the reforms that have acquired an irreversible character in New Uzbekistan. Over the past eight years, our gross domestic product has grown rapidly, now standing at $115 billion. For the first time, I would like to announce another milestone: according to the International Monetary Fund’s forecasts, this year the size of our economy will exceed $130 billion. We have never before witnessed such growth rates and such high international recognition”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted.
Such results have been made possible thanks to the active support of entrepreneurship, the construction of modern industrial complexes, the transition to a green and innovative economy, the development of renewable energy sources, the IT sector, tourism, and financial services.
Modern cities are being built across the country, while villages and mahallas are being improved. Over the past eight years, apartment buildings with more than 500,000 flats have been constructed, four times the number built in the first 25 years of independence. A total of 60 trillion UZS has been allocated for improving mahalla infrastructure, upgrading villages, and building roads. With investments totaling $155 billion, more than 100,000 projects have been implemented, generating income sources for over 7 million citizens.
“These great historic achievements are the result of large-scale and well-thought-out reforms, and most importantly, of the changes in the thinking and outlook of our people. The buildings under construction, the modern complexes, comfortable homes, schools, kindergartens, medical, cultural, and sports facilities vividly demonstrate the economic strength and creative potential of New Uzbekistan. Most importantly, no matter the field of achievement, every result above all serves to elevate human dignity and to safeguard its rights and interests”, the Head of State emphasized.
Over the past eight years, funding allocated for social infrastructure has increased sixfold. As a result, the number of places in kindergartens has risen from 720,000 to 2.5 million. A total of 466 new schools have been built, creating nearly one million student places. The number of university students rose from 279,000 to 1.5 million, and higher education coverage has reached 40 percent.
Last week, in honor of Entrepreneurs’ Day, 168 of the most prominent representatives of business, agriculture, and farming were awarded high state honors.
“I will always support and encourage such dedicated compatriots and their initiatives. This is no coincidence. As you are all aware, ten years ago, we were primarily exporting raw materials. Today, the volume of industrial exports has increased from $28 billion in 2016 to $62 billion. Would we have achieved such results without creating the right conditions for entrepreneurs? Of course not”, the President said.
It was noted that today, business representatives have become a true pillar of the economy. A look at the construction sector is enough: in the past, it did not develop at such a pace. Previously, construction was carried out only through state orders. Today, the number of private construction companies has exceeded 30,000, and the volume of construction materials production has reached nearly $6 billion. Uzbekistan has turned into a vast construction site. Just last year, construction works worth $23 billion were completed – four times more than in 2016.
Similar tremendous changes are also taking place in agriculture, the textile industry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and the pharmaceutical sector.
Special attention is being given to the development of the services sector.
“If in the past tourism exports did not even reach $500 million, today this figure has exceeded 3 billion. Seven or eight years ago, few believed in the possibility of exporting IT products worth a billion dollars. The primary aspect is that new knowledge and modern technologies have permeated every industry. This has led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs and the training of an army of highly qualified specialists. In every sector, its own strategy and school of experience of New Uzbekistan has been formed.
In creating a new history and image of our country, your worthy contributions are also present, dear compatriots. For this, I express my deep gratitude”, the Head of State added.
The President also congratulated the citizens receiving awards in the regions.
The awardees were then presented with the insignia of their honorary titles, orders, and medals in a solemn ceremony.
“The highest goal of our independence is care for the individual, the elevation of human dignity and labor, and the improvement of the life of our noble people. At this moment, we all feel this especially deeply. May the great happiness of seeing one’s work duly appreciated and enjoying the respect of society never leave you”, the President said.
The awardees expressed their gratitude for the high attention given to them and conveyed their good wishes to the people of Uzbekistan.
