Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A video conference on social and economic development of Karakalpakstan was held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 10 November.

On 2 October, at an extraordinary session of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the head of our state defined tasks aimed at developing each city and district and improving the life of the region’s population. To identify urgent problems and develop a new development program, the state of 37,000 households and business entities was studied.

Based on the analysis, a comprehensive development program for the Republic of Karakalpakstan for 2020-2023 was developed. According to the program, in order to increase the investment attractiveness of the region, new enterprises are provided with a number of tax benefits. In addition, benefits will be received by newly created enterprises in the sphere of industry and services in Takhtakupyr, Bozatau, Shumanay districts and 45 makhallas and auls that fall into the category of lagging behind in development.

At the video conference, the issues of the systemic organization of the implementation of the activities identified in the program were considered.

In particular, taking into account the "points of growth" of 17 districts and cities, 1,359 investment projects worth 12.3 trillion soums have been formed for implementation in 2020-2022. It is planned to attract 523 million dollars of direct foreign investment and create about 20 thousand new jobs.

The Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade was instructed to create 27 industrial clusters operating according to the system "from raw materials to finished products."

The program defines a number of tasks in the field of agriculture and water management. We are talking about the placement of export-oriented vegetable crops on 12 thousand hectares, where the cultivation of cotton is canceled, the reclamation of 36 thousand hectares of lands retired from circulation and the formation of a free economic zone "Korakalpok-agro", the creation of sesame plantations and an increase in the number of pedigree livestock, specialization of the Khojeyli region for animal husbandry and vegetable growing.

Measures will also be taken to save 2.5 billion cubic meters of water per year. The importance of repairing 14.2 thousand kilometers of canals, introducing water-saving technologies on 45 thousand hectares of sown areas, installing meters at water distribution points, laser leveling 38 thousand hectares of land was indicated.

The respective tasks have been set before the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources.

The program envisages a separate approach to the development of Takhtakupyr, Bozatau, Shumanai districts, which have a relatively low level of socio-economic development. In particular, in 2021-2023, it is planned to implement 172 projects worth 409 billion soums to improve production and social infrastructure in these areas.

In addition, 150 projects worth 2 trillion 340 billion soums will be implemented in 45 makhallas and auls with difficult conditions. Interest payments on loans for these projects will be compensated from the Entrepreneurship Support Fund in the amount of 50 percent of the base interest rate of the Central Bank.

The head of state emphasized the importance of creating new businesses, providing employment and helping families out of poverty.

The meeting discussed issues of updating the appearance of districts and cities of Karakalpakstan, road construction and housing.

The goal was set to build and repair 856 kilometers of highways in the next 3 years, lay 2.5 thousand kilometers of drinking water supply networks and bring the level of drinking water supply to 70 percent in the region. 235 houses with 7 thousand apartments will be built, including 36 affordable apartment buildings with 2,084 apartments for young families and low-income people.

Considered the ongoing work on the renovation of the city of Nukus, the construction of modern infrastructure facilities.

Regarding the health sector, instructions were given on the complete digitization of the activities of rural medical centers and family polyclinics, the organization of medical teams and screening of the population. The task was set to organize lessons in schools using a new methodology, to improve the qualifications of teachers.

- In general, a new system of work organization and control will be created in Karakalpakstan. For this, a new committee has been formed in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis to develop the Aral Sea region, improve life and increase the income of the population, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

At the meeting, the responsible persons presented information on measures to ensure the implementation of the program.