Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to transfer the cities of Samarkand and Namangan as separate administrative-territorial units under republican control.

“I would like to put forward another important initiative within the framework of the administrative reform,” the President noted.

By now, there are 7 million-plus cities in Central Asia, he said

Along with the capitals, other large cities are becoming “points of growth” in our region, the head of state added.

The President noted that Samarkand and Namangan are among them. Each of them is home to one million people.

A lot of creative work is being carried out in both cities, the President emphasized.

The city of Samarkand has become a world-famous metropolis, an international center for tourism and business, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

He noted that Namangan is also finding its place as a regional center in the field of industry, entrepreneurship, education and culture.

Therefore, I propose to transfer the cities of Samarkand and Namangan to republican subordination as separate administrative-territorial units, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The cities of Samarkand and Namangan will be subordinated to the Cabinet of Ministers, the President said.

Now the khokims of this region are obliged to work not only with large cities, but also to improve conditions in the regions, the President said.

The development programs of both cities are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Prime Minister is directly responsible for their implementation, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted.