Islam Karimov said: “We have all foundation to state that outgoing year, despite some difficulties and ordeals, overall was fruitful and successful for our country and people.”

Uzbek President said that according to the International Monetary Fund Uzbekistan was one of few countries, which achieved the growth of GDP by 8.3% in 2011, and proved that stable high economic growth in the country for last five-six years is sustainable.

President underlined that in the outgoing year, the country continued huge work on renovating and modernizing, and deepening democratic reforms, liberalizing all spheres of life, as well as developing civil society institutes.

“Achieved high results in past period, about which we can only dream earlier, are evidence for fidelity of selected development model, efficiency of new sectors in industry and production capacities, which today are locomotives of our economy. Tens of modern enterprises were launched and such sectors as fuel-energy, mining and metallurgy, chemical and light industries, automobile, capital construction, transport and communication received accelerated development,” Islam Karimov stated.

He said that farmers and dehkans deserve special respect as they overcome difficult ordeals this season with their selfless work and harvested 6.8 million tonnes of grain, almost 3.5 million tonnes of cotton and produced 8.2 million tonnes of vegetables, melons and gourds, and 3 million tonnes of horticultural products.

“I want to underline that thanks to achieved high results in real economy, it was possible to increase salaries, stipends and allowances by 20.2%, pensions by 26.2% in 2011, while overall real income of population grew by 23.1%,” he added.

Uzbek leader said that creation of about 1 million jobs in 2011 due to modernization and diversification of economy, providing privileges and preferences for development of small and private business, as well as farms was important step in solving social problems and employment of population.

Uzbek President said that the country will direct 60% of expenses of State Budget to social sector in 2012 and these funds, first of all, will be directed to development of healthcare and education, science and culture. He said that it is planed that salaries, stipends and allowances will increase by more than 20% and real income of population by 22-24% in 2012.

President said that in 2012, the great attention will be paid to continuation of programme, which was launched two years ago and directed at creating favourable life conditions for people, especially, in rural areas.

He said that the programme envisages development of modern infrastructure in rural areas, and construction of habitations based on improved standard projects, as well as development of modern communal-domestic conditions.

Islam Karimov said that about 7,400 families became owners of 1.1 million square meters of habitation in 2011 and some 8,510 families will get new houses in 2012.