Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The plenary meeting also reviewed the progress in the implementation of measures provided for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

It was noted that in recent years unprecedented reforms have been carried out in the Aral Sea region aimed at increasing investment attractiveness, developing entrepreneurship, creating new jobs, providing employment for the population, as well as improving the socio-economic situation, mitigating the consequences of the environmental catastrophe of the Aral Sea.

The senators especially noted that over the past year, 5 decrees and resolutions of the President were adopted, providing for a radical reform of the socio-economic sectors in Karakalpakstan, the widespread attraction of foreign and local investors.

In particular, in accordance with the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 11, 2020 No. PP-4889 "On measures for the comprehensive socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2020-2023", within the framework of 1,359 projects, it is envisaged to carry out large-scale work in the amount of 12 trillion 259.1 billion soums and the creation of 17,259 new jobs.

Thanks to the establishment of strict parliamentary control by the Senate, as well as local efforts and measures aimed at finding solutions to emerging problems, 1,065 projects worth 8 trillion 846.2 billion soums (78%) have been launched and 8,372 new jobs have been created.

About 46 projects were also launched ahead of schedule, 239 new jobs were created. In addition, funds in the amount of 201.3 billion soums were spent for the construction, repair and reconstruction of road, engineering and communication infrastructure facilities, work worth 233.3 billion soums was carried out at 79 social facilities.

In 45 makhallas and auls with difficult socio-economic conditions, new 74 business entities in the service sector have been created, construction and repair work has been carried out in all makhalla citizens' gatherings.

The senators noted that along with an increase in the standard of living of the population, the creation of new jobs, an increase in the income of the population as a result of the work carried out, there are also some problematic issues.

In particular, there was a need to extend the timeline for launching 124 projects included in the program of comprehensive socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan for 2020-2023.

The Ministry of Energy is delaying the issuance of permits for projects to create stations for filling cars with compressed gas worth 3 billion soums in Karauzak district and in Kungrat district worth 5.5 billion soums.

The documents for obtaining a license from the State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources for 3 projects with a total cost of 8.9 billion soums to expand the production and deep processing of vermiculite in Karauzak district have not been fully completed.

Work has not been completed on 5 projects being implemented in the region in the amount of US$555.5 million, it is necessary to accelerate work on 13 projects in the amount of US$280.3 million.

At the same time, under the project “Improving water resources management in South Karakalpakstan”, only US$21.32 million was spent out of the loan funds planned for the current year in the amount of US$56.2 million.

Under the project "Development of drinking water supply systems in the western part of Uzbekistan" for the construction and reconstruction of water facilities in Nukus, Beruniy, Muynak, Kungrat, Karauzak and Amu Darya districts, of the funds planned for development in the current year in the amount of US$21.9 million, only US$1.7 million were used.

As a result of the discussions, a corresponding resolution of the Senate was adopted, providing for a prompt solution of existing problems, strengthening parliamentary control over the implementation of measures.