Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 10 May 2020, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Davron Vakhabov held a meeting via videoconference with the participation of more than 70 entrepreneurs in the field of catering and outsourcing. The meeting discussed issues of providing free meals to primary school students.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 28, 2023, starting from the 2023-2024 academic year, free meals are provided for primary school students in general educational institutions in all regions of the republic.

This system is planned to be implemented on the basis of a public-private partnership with the involvement of domestic food producers.

It should be noted that in the 2023-2024 academic year, the expected number of primary school students in 10,104 general education institutions is 2.6 million people. Currently, 6,562 schools have canteens or canteens, while 3,542 do not.

During this meeting, the issues of introducing free meals for primary school students in general educational institutions in all regions were discussed, in particular, the recommendations of the World Health Organization, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization on healthy nutrition for children.

At the end of the meeting, the participants decided to give suggestions on the menu for primary school students.