Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Speaking at a function to mark the 2,200th anniversary of the Uzbek capital of Tashkent on 1 September, President Islam Karimov said that the Uzbek government’s anti-crisis measures produced “convincing” results. During his recorded speech broadcast on Uzbek TV on 1 September he described the Uzbek people as a free and independent nation with the feeling of responsibility about events taking place in the region and the entire world.

He also noted that Uzbekistan’s own development path proved to be the right one amid the global financial crisis. “We passed a complicated and difficult path over the past years and these difficult experiences and tribulations have toughened our people, making them strong-willed people,” he said. The following is an excerpt from the speech; the subheading inserted editorially:

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said: “First of all, let me congratulate you and, through you, all residents of the capital and all people of our country, on a great holiday - the 2,200th anniversary of the golden threshold of our country - Tashkent city, and to express my sincere respect and best wishes to you.”

Uzbekistan’s achievements amid global crisis

“Undoubtedly, when we look at economies of those countries, which are sustaining great losses as a result of the [global financial] crisis, a logical question may arise - thanks to what and how we are managing to mitigate effects of the global crisis on Uzbekistan, to prevent slowdown in economic growth and, most importantly, to avoid decrease in the population’s living standards?

“It should be noted that our public, primarily ordinary people understand the essence of this issue and are finding the right answer to this question based on their everyday lives and personal experiences. One easily becomes convinced of this when meeting and talking to people in various regions and areas.

“To find the main reason behind our current success and achievements, one should look at far-sighted political decisions, which, unlike short-term goals and interests pursued by other countries, were adopted taking into account interests of our country, people. One should also look at programmes being consistently implemented on this basis in order to find about the reason behind our achievements,” the Uzbek leader said.

“It would be an absolute truth if we say that another important factor behind our great achievements is that we, after gaining independence, neither copied others nor ignored established international experience and implemented our own gradual development path called Uzbek model, which is based on well known five principles. This model is proving to be the right and viable one in conditions of the current global financial crisis,” the Uzbek head said.

Anti-crisis measures

Uzbekistan’s President said the anti-crisis measures have already produced their initial but convincing results.

“Looking at results of the first half of 2009, we must note that we ensured stable growth rate as well as gradual, balanced development of the Uzbek economy.

“Following figures prove this: over this period, GDP increased by 8.2%, the volume of industrial production by 9.1%, export of goods by 13.4%, the level of inflation did not exceed 3.5% and over 530,000 new jobs were created as a result of measures taken in the country, real income of the population increased by 26%,” the Uzbek President Islam Karimov said.

“Salaries of workers, pensions and students’ grants were increased by 25% as of 1 August 2009 because the state budget was implemented with surplus in 2008 and in the first half of 2009. There is a possibility to further increase them until the end of this year and considering all these facts, I promise you that this year the population’s income will not be less than last year,” he added.

Free and independent nation

“Dear friends and brothers. Today, when we are going through such a crucial period and adopting well thought-out programmes aimed at making Uzbekistan one of the world’s developed countries, we must not forget that we cannot get carried away by our achievements and that we must think carefully before taking our every step.

Uzbek leader said: “Tensions existing in the world and countries located close to or far from us, threats and confrontations taking place in the world today as well as the ongoing global financial crisis demand greater attention, caution, vigilance and making necessary and timely conclusions from us.”

“Today, no one - neither those who are well disposed to us nor those who look down their nose at us - cannot deny that we achieved enormous changes in a short historical period thanks to our people’s selfless work, courage and steadfastness.

“We passed a complicated and difficult path over the past years and these difficult experiences and tribulations have toughened our people, making them strong-willed people,” he noted.

“The most important thing is that our thinking and world view are changing completely today. Today we are free people, an independent nation who has taken its destiny into its own hands and who is not second to anyone, people who are in step with the educated world. We are no longer people of the nineties; the sense of ownership of land and property in our people, as well as the feeling of concern and responsibility about changes taking place around them and in the world, is further increasing,” Uzbek leader said.

Tashkent is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, he added.