Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a session on 16 October to discuss results of socioeconomic development of the country in the first nine months of 2007 and approve additional measures to ensure implementation of priority tasks of deepening economic reforms, determined by the President Islam Karimov at government meeting on 12 February 2007, UzA reported.

Heads of central economic ministries and departments in their reports noted that the system measures on implementation of seven important priorities of economic programme for 2007 ensure dynamic achievement of indicators of macroeconomic development of the country, successful realization of main directions of tax and budget policies, timely performance of the state budget of Uzbekistan for 2007.

Thus, according to data of Economy Ministry, State Statistics Committee and Finance Ministry of Uzbekistan for January-September 2007, the gross domestic product grew by 9.8%. Economic growth was achieved due to increase of the volumes of industrial production by 11.9%, agriculture – 3.5%, construction work – 20.4%, retail trade turnover – 18.4%, paid services – 25.2%.

Foreign trade turnover is increasing first of all due to growth of exports – by 41.8%. The state budget was performed with proficit, inflation level did not exceed the forecast parameters.

Favourable investment climate and conditions for attraction of investments allowed to increase the volumes of investments by 31.3%, including direct foreign investments – more than twofold.

The measures taken on support of entrepreneurship, liberalization of their operation conditions and reduction of tax burden provided for the increase of the share of small business in GDP up to 43.1% against 39% in the corresponding period of 2007.

Participants of the session noted that adoption and implementation of a number of important presidential decrees maintained significantly further strengthening of address measures on social support of various groups of the population, gradual realization of target national programmes in the field of education, staff training and healthcare. Within the "Year of social protection" state programme alone, the government directed 370 billion soums to social actions, including 153 billion soums at the expense of state budget funds.

In the reporting period, in accordance with territorial programmes of ensuring employment, some 490,000 new work places were created this year, including 82,000 work places on labour contracts with enterprises, 120,000 work places – in the sphere of service. Work record cards were opened to 275,000 citizens working in the field of cattle breeding.

Heads of complexes and departments of the Cabinet of Ministers, corresponding ministries, have been entrusted to work out a system of criteria and evaluation of introduction and development of information and communication technologies in governance bodies, banks and financial institutions, in rural area, as well as at large productions. These measures should be the basis in preparation and realization of the Uzbek ICT Development Programme for 2007-2015.