Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 19 August, a meeting on the socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan was held in Kegaily District.

Measures are being taken in Karakalpakstan, as in all regions, to increase investments, create jobs, and boost exports in key sectors. Over the past period, 150 projects have been launched in Karakalpakstan, attracting US$1.4 billion in direct foreign investments. The number of entrepreneurs has risen from 12,000 to 25,000, commercial spaces have increased by 1.5 million square meters, and 212,000 people have been provided with permanent jobs.

Entrepreneurship is developing due to a favorable business and investment environment. For instance, 13,000 entrepreneurs who started with micro-projects have moved to small business, and 351 have progressed to medium business. The number of enterprises with an annual turnover exceeding 100 billion soums has reached 43.

Significant changes have occurred in social infrastructure. The coverage of preschool education has increased from 28% to 84%. Twenty-one new schools have been built, and 243 have been fully renovated.

A 17-story IT park with 700 places has been constructed for the first time. Under the "One Million Programmers" project, about 40,000 young people from Karakalpakstan have been trained over two years.

In districts and cities, 74 family medical points, 81 polyclinics, and 92 community medical points have been put into operation. Trauma and acute vascular disease centers have been established in the Turtkul, Kungrad, and Chimbay districts.

Previously, over 100,000 people faced difficulties due to lack of property rights on their homes. This issue has been resolved, with property rights recognized for 27,000 citizens.

A Fund for Supporting Mahallas has been created in Karakalpakstan, with 500 million soums allocated to each of the 452 mahallas. This has led to the repair of 316 kilometers of internal roads, updating 151 kilometers of power lines, and laying 55 kilometers of gas and 112 kilometers of water supply networks.

With US$274 million from the Asian Development Bank, a 240-kilometer highway from Bukhara to Nukus and Beyneu will soon be put into operation.

A large-scale program to improve climatic conditions in the Aral Sea region has begun. Over the past seven years, 1.9 million hectares of green plantings have been created on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. An International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea has been established to improve the ecosystem, create new varieties, and seeds for saline, water-scarce environments.

Recently, a program for adapting agriculture to climate change was approved. It allocates US$80 million to mitigate climate change effects in the Aral Sea region. These funds will be used to restore 100,000 hectares of pastures, grow crops suited to soil and climatic conditions, strengthen livestock feed resources, and train personnel.

However, many opportunities remain untapped. Some investment projects are progressing slowly. Since the beginning of the year, 19,000 enterprises in Karakalpakstan have benefited from tax incentives amounting to 350 billion soums. As a result, entrepreneurs have emerged from the shadow economy and expanded their activities, leading to the employment of 4,000 people. However, 6,000 enterprises that received incentives have reduced their workforce.

No other region offers the opportunities and conditions for business that Karakalpakstan does. If these opportunities were transformed into projects and jobs, performance would be 5-10 times higher.

Consequently, at the end of the half-year, the governors of Karauzyak and Takhiyatash districts were dismissed. Disciplinary actions were taken against governors of the Amudarya, Beruniy, Bozatau, Kegaily, Kungrad, Kanlykul, Muynak, Takhtakupir, Turtkul, Khojayli, and Chimbay districts.

The meeting highlighted the vast opportunities in the republic. For example, 1.3 million tourists have arrived in Karakalpakstan since the beginning of the year, but there are few hotel rooms. If land is provided, entrepreneurs have expressed interest in building modern hotels and conference halls.

On 20 hectares around Achchik-Kul in Nukus, housing, modern hotels, and recreational areas can be organized. Along the Duzlik and Kegaily canals, Tashli Jup and Shirin Jup in Khojayli, there is potential for trade and entertainment establishments. In the Amudarya, Turtkul, and Beruni regions, there is also significant potential for attracting tourists.

Along the Guzar-Bukhara-Nukus-Beyneu road, on 140 hectares, 300 trade and service facilities can be located. A modern market in Ellikkala would increase trade and services.

Last year, the free economic zone "Urgut" was expanded with the allocation of 22 hectares in Beruni district. However, no projects have been implemented here so far. Although the area has all necessary infrastructure, including a railway and nearby raw materials.

If a simplified land allocation system is implemented for the economic zone area, projects worth 320 million USD could be accommodated there.

Investors are ready to invest US$10 million to launch a 500-hectare sheep breeding cluster in the "Koybak" mahalla in Karauzyak. This cluster will house 10,000 sheep and produce 100 tons of meat.

The President has instructed responsible persons to utilize these opportunities and develop the economy.

One hundred three major projects worth US$1.9 billion have been formed in Karakalpakstan. Fourteen projects totaling US$275 million will be launched in various sectors over the year. In total, more than 120 promising projects worth US$9.5 billion have been prepared.

Responsible individuals are tasked with developing a program "Engage in Business in Karakalpakstan" for each district. This program will be a new source for developing industry, agriculture, and services in Karakalpakstan, attracting no less than US$10 billion in investments and creating 500,000 jobs.

In summary, significant goals have been set to ensure that the future of the Karakalpak people will be better than today. It was emphasized that everyone must work together and selflessly to achieve these goals.

This year, a decree was adopted to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the great poet of the Turkic peoples, Ajiniyaz. The President reminded that the poet referred to dedicated individuals serving the people as "his majesty the person" and urged everyone to work similarly.

"As I have said, Uzbeks and Karakalpaks share the same history and destiny. I believe that our bright and happy future will also be one. I wish you, young people and entrepreneurs, new successes on this path," said the President.

Leaders of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and various sectors, as well as city and district governors, presented reports on the discussed issues.