The press service of the lower house of the Uzbek parliament said that MPs of the Legislative Chamber, heads of ministries and departments, as well as experts attended the session.

During the session, it was noted that the gross domestic product (GDP) of Uzbekistan grew by 8.1% in the first half of 2015, industrial output – 8.1%, agriculture production – 6.5%, capital constructions – 18%, services – 13.1% and retail trade – 14.8%.

It was noted that Uzbekistan conducts active investment policy, directed to carry out structural reforms, modernization and diversification of production, speeding up launch of high technologic capacities, development of transport and communication infrastructure. It was underlined that investments for over 18 trillion soums were used in the first six months of 2015, which grew by 9.8% year-on-year. About 63 projects for US$160.9 million were commission in the first half of 2015.

The session underlined that over 490 new enterprises started to export their products and services, which also helped to increase the volume of exports by 7.4% and achieve foreign trade surplus.

Share of private sector in industry reached 31.4% (28.9% in Jan-Jul 2014), in retail trade – 86.3% (85.9%), in paid services – 47.6% (45.2%) and in employment – 77.2% (76.8%).

Uzbekistan created 441,800 jobs in the first half of 2015, of which 274,900 new jobs (62.2% of total jobs) were created in rural areas in the first half of 2015.

In the reporting period, the receipts from direct taxes grew by 16.7% and indirect taxes – 16.8%, the session reported.

About 59.2% of expenses of the State Budget were directed to social sphere. The ratio of these expenses to the GDP was 13.9%. About 57.8% of expenses were directed to maintain and develop education sphere.

Uzbekistan also implements measures to reform and develop healthcare system. About 23% of expenses to social sector were directed to this sphere, which rose by 13.3% year-on-year.

The participants also discussed execution of income and expenses of the state targeted funds. It was noted that all budgets of the state targeted funds were executed in line with the forecasted figures, except the Fund for assisting to employment.

The participants also discussed untargeted and inefficient use of the resources of the state budget. The growth of accounts receivable and bill payables in some industries of economy, as well as untimely payment of resources to the state budget were criticized.

The committee adopted the corresponding decision on considered issue.