Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A video conference was held on 5 May under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on measures to further mitigate quarantine conditions and resume economic activity.

Considering the improvement of the epidemiological situation in our country, from 22 April, a gradual easing of quarantine conditions was begun. In order to consistently continue this work, the situation on the ground was studied, reasonable proposals were received from each industry and khokimiyats.

The meeting discussed upcoming work, which will be done based on the results of the analysis and proposals.

In addition to the restored industries, agriculture and construction, it is planned to gradually resume the activities of service providers.

In particular, it was noted that in areas with a positive epidemiological situation, it is necessary to permit the work of non-food stores, the provision of medical diagnostics, taxi services, sewing, repair of household appliances and shoe repair, hairdressers, with the establishment of appropriate sanitary requirements for them. In addition, stickers will be canceled, the use of personal vehicles will be allowed.

However, since the threat of coronavirus has not yet been completely eliminated, restrictions on crowded facilities, including theater performances, concert and sports events, celebrations and public transport, will be retained for some time.

The Republican Commission was instructed to decide in which regions and under what conditions the provision of services would be resumed.

- As the epidemiological situation improves, we will continue to remove restrictions. On the contrary, if the situation worsens, we will resume quarantine measures, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Particular attention is paid to supporting enterprises to ensure their sustainable operation. To this end, the head of state signed a resolution “On urgent measures to support the textile and clothing-knitting industry”.

According to the resolution:

- In order to further support textile enterprises and clusters, increase the competitiveness of products, a transition to international exchange prices will be made, which will reduce the cost of raw materials by 10 percent;

- The deadline for final payment for cotton fiber sold on the domestic market until April 1 is extended from 90 to 150 days;

- value added tax will be refunded in full as soon as goods exported by textile enterprises leave the country;

- 64 types of raw materials important for the industry are exempted from customs duties.

It is also planned to sharply increase the export of finished products, to create large - with the number of employees of at least 1 thousand people - modern textile and sewing clusters that will operate under the international brand.

The resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to further support export activities” was also adopted.

In accordance with it, the list of products for which transportation costs are subject to subsidies has been expanded from the current 52 to 86 species. The list includes 32 types of vegetable and melon products, as well as fresh, frozen and canned fruits.

This mechanism to cover transportation costs will be able to take advantage of more than 2,000 exporting enterprises. 360 billion soums will be allocated from the budget for this.

- The goal of these measures is to quickly restore the activities of enterprises, steadily increase exports, and create wide opportunities for job creation. Therefore, leaders at all levels should constantly introduce new ideas and initiatives in each district and mahalla, and deal with issues of improving life, increasing employment and incomes of ordinary people and the poor in particular, the head of state said.

The meeting also addressed the issue of identifying regions in which quarantine measures would be relaxed.

The Ministry of Health was instructed to determine, together with the khokimiyats, the quarantine level in each district and city and to quickly change the quarantine levels depending on the changing situation on the ground. The need for compliance with the temporary sanitary rules, norms and hygiene standards approved on 23 April for a pandemic is indicated.

It was noted that conditions should now be created for the stable operation of economic sectors and entrepreneurs in the period after the pandemic.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction has been instructed, together with industry leaders, regional khokims and banks, to determine the types and amount of assistance to enterprises by 1 June and to develop a post-crisis action plan for each enterprise.

In this regard, priority attention will be given to providing enterprises with additional loans for working capital, assistance in fulfilling export obligations, and increasing the volume of state subsidies for personal land and greenhouses.

The issue of ensuring tax revenues was also discussed. In January-April of the current year, the corresponding forecast was fulfilled by 102.7 percent. It is noted that from now on, budget revenues will begin to grow, responsible persons were given relevant instructions.

Once again focusing on food security, the head of state identified measures to ensure uninterrupted supplies of basic foodstuffs to the population and maintain price stability.

At a video conference, the work done in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the city of Tashkent was reviewed. Ministers and khokims provided information on the issues discussed.