Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 9 March, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation of investment projects that will be implemented in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

At an extraordinary session of the Jokargy Kenges of the Republic of Karakalpakstan on 2 October 2020, the head of our state gave instructions on the development of the region’s economy and improving the life of the population. Based on the study of opportunities and problems in each city and region, proposals were developed, as a result of November 11 last year, the President adopted a resolution "On measures for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2020-2023."

The first part of the presentation was devoted to the work done in pursuance of this document, including the development of engineering and road infrastructure, improving living conditions in makhallas and auls, ensuring employment of the population.

Last year, 712 projects worth US$436 million were implemented in Karakalpakstan, more than 4.3 thousand jobs were created. In January-February of this year, 52 projects were implemented, more than 300 people were employed.

Work in this direction is being consistently continued. In particular, another 711 projects worth more than US$887 million have been formed. These are 201 projects in the industrial sector, 280 services in the service sector and 230 projects in agriculture. As a result of their implementation, production facilities for US$222 million will be organized, it will be possible to replace imports by US$100 million and provide exports for US$41 million. It is planned to create over 22 thousand new jobs.

The bowels of Karakalpakstan are rich in minerals. For the purpose of their extraction, processing and production of building materials, 150 projects are planned. As a result, production of more than 1 trillion soums and exports of 3 million dollars a year will be established. Thus, it is planned to produce ceramic and particle boards in Muynak region, glass in Turtkul region.

It is planned to create 40 textile and 16 pharmaceutical enterprises, which will employ more than 5 thousand people.

Among them is a project for the processing of Artemia cysts. Substances obtained from this crustacean are used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, agriculture and many other areas. The project, worth US$30 million, provides for the creation of an enterprise that will process 3.5 thousand tons of Artemia cysts per year. The export capacity of the enterprise is expected to be US$30 million. 500 permanent and 2 thousand seasonal jobs will be created.

13 projects for deep processing of licorice root have been formed. As a result of their implementation, it is planned to increase the volume of exports of licorice products from the current US$29 million to US$62 million.

Karakalpakstan has great potential in the field of agriculture. 117 projects for livestock, fisheries and poultry have been developed. As a result, about 7 thousand people will be employed. Of these projects, 24 are focused on the processing of meat, milk and leather, and the production of feed.

The head of state noted the need to develop livestock breeding and fish farming with the use of foreign experience. An instruction was given to make full use of the available resources and deepen processing, to create permanent sources of income for the population.