President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov traveled to Jizzakh and Sirdarya regions on June 19 to review the progress of local socio-economic reforms and construction works.

As it is the case in the country as a whole, sustainable growth rates and considerable results in the development of all spheres are being ensured in Jizzakh region. This is backed, among other things, in the case of high accomplishments being achieved by the working people of the province. Notably, in the first quarter of this year, the gross regional product grew by 9.7 percent, production of industrial goods increased by 9.3 percent, of agricultural produce by 5.9, the volume of construction works by 11.6, and paid services expanded by 10.7 percent. In accordance with the 2013-2015 program of socio-economic development of the region, 2,061 projects are to be implemented, including 1,381 schemes in 2013.

As a result of wide-ranging efforts underway to bolster the manufacturing sector, the first quarter of 2013 saw the commissioning of a number of production complexes in the city of Jizzakh, including the textile company Jizzakh Toshtepa Tex, the Jizzakh Togh-Kon Kimyo enterprise specialized in the production of lime, as well as in districts of the region – a venture to produce construction sand and road metal in Ghallaorol district, the enterprise Favorit Lines in Zafarobod district to produce bread and bakery, a dairy reprocessing line in the Jizzakh Chorva Baraka farming enterprise of Jizzakh district.

The Uzbek-German joint venture Jizzakh Plastex established in the city of Jizzakh serves a bright example of works undertaken in the region in the development of light industry.

The head of our state started his trip to the province with this very enterprise.

The foundation of this factory outfitted with cutting-edge technologies is a practical outcome of the extensive efforts in progress in our country aimed at boosting the textile industry, Islam Karimov said.

During the former system, the issue of reprocessing cotton was not even on the agenda: cotton used to be carried to other constituent republics for these purposes. After attaining independence, we attached a special significance to processing cotton in our country.

More than 30 percent of cotton fabric is processed currently, against the 10-12 percent indicator in the wake of our independence.

The head of our state expounded on the importance of constant expansion of the deep reprocessing of cotton fiber by shoring up the light industry. This facilitates additional revenues and solution to such a pressing issue as population employment. For instance, the reprocessing of cotton fiber into yarn worth one dollar yields income of 4-5 dollars, while the production of final goods from that gives 10-12 dollars. Another crucial aspect in this is the fact that the light industry is one of those sectors that require considerable labor force.

Islam Karimov stressed the necessity of establishment of modern enterprises specialized in reprocessing fiber and manufacturing final goods in all provinces of the country, including Jizzakh region distinct for the production of high quality cotton, as well as the need – by means of this – for enhancing the employment of people, especially the youth.

With the launch of the first production line at Jizzakh Plastex, the venture is anticipated to reprocess 12 thousand tons of cotton fiber, produce 8.5 thousand tons of yarn, 4 thousand tons of knitted cloth a year. Knitwear as final produce is to be manufactured in the second stage in 2014. That will create an opportunity to dye and process 4 thousand tons of fiber and produce 6 million final goods.

1,750 people will be employed here once the enterprise is launched. By date, work contracts have been signed with 370 young specialists who graduated from professional training colleges.

During the conversation with such professionals, Hushnud Ashirmatov and Hasan Khudoyberdiev, who have been performing adjustment and alignment on complicated weaving looms at the venture, President Islam Karimov noted that the Uzbek youth, with high intellectual capacities, talent and abilities, goal-mindedness and initiative-proclivity, has been arousing admiration abroad, as well.

“The Uzbek youths have struck me with their assiduousness and diligence,” said Ospar Iltner, manager of the German company Schlafhorst, during the conversation with the head of our state. “The young adjusters and aligners have grasped how to run the new, modern, hi-tech equipment for a short period of time.”

“All conditions are created in our country for the youth to obtain latest knowledge and professions, to display their talents and potential,” Hushnud Ashirmatov shared. “This modern enterprise is further evidence of that kind of attention and care. Through the introduction of modern technology in the factory, the high energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and competitiveness of the products will be secured. To contribute to the development of the Motherland, the prosperity and welfare of the people is our sacred duty.”

As a result of the tremendous works in progress under the leadership of President Islam Karimov designed to radically transform the appearance of the country, our cities and villages have been acquiring a modern look. This can be observed in the case of our towns like Samarkand, Bukhara, Andijan, Namangan, Feghana, Kokand, Margilan, Termez, Karshi, Urgench and many others.

Jizzakh also should earn a well-deserved place among these cities.

Along with raising the efficiency of the economic sphere, where we have been making remarkable achievements, we should place an even greater emphasis on the elevation of spiritual state of mind in our society. By embarking on the comprehensive development of urban areas and the rise in the quality of life of people by way of further intensification of production in a variety of manufacturing sectors, by carrying out works in beautification, we ought to exert positive influence on the mood of our compatriots and on the amplification of the sense of pride in them.

The head of our state stressed that the master plan of each city should develop with a long-term vision. The leader of our nation gave appropriate recommendations for the construction of the city’s ring road, multi-lane highways, and organization of works for the development of communications, landscaping, and construction of modern buildings.

“Building on the expertise of our capital Tashkent and other cities of the country, we should create a new Jizzakh city center,” Islam Karimov suggested. “One of the important tasks is to establish green zones, parks and alleys in downtown Jizzakh with trees like chestnut tree, oak, Japanese pagoda tree. Such extensive constructive endeavors will help transform the outlook of our people and reinforce their aspiration to live with aim to reach new heights.”

Uzbekistan’s leader held a conversation with farmers and region’s officials and public figures at the Javlonbek farming enterprise in Pakhtakor district.

The grain harvesting time is underway also in Jizzakh region. In 2013, the grain crops are grown in the region on 110 thousand hectares of irrigated lands and 70 thousand hectares of dry soil, while cotton is nurtured on 101.8 thousand hectares. Jizzakh farmers have projected to harvest grain yield of up to 312.46 thousand tons. Cotton and wheat are fostered on 95.5 hectares in the Javlonbek farming enterprise headed by Erkin Kenjaev.

Islam Karimov stressed the important significance of the participation of farmers – representatives of the class of owners – in the further elevation of life standards in their own families, mahallas and their input into the prosperity of the nation.

“The modern farmer should not only grasp all the intricacies of agriculture, but also be an economist, bookkeeper, stock-breeder, and businessman. In other words, he/she should well understand new challenges emerging amid the current realities, be energetic in the further improvement of life standards of people, primarily the rural residents, in uplifting their spiritual values, in particular in displaying comprehensive care for the youth,” the President said. “For this purpose, it is essential to start reprocessing agricultural goods and establish small enterprises.”

The head of our state noted that the decree on establishing a special industrial zone in Jizzakh and the works undertaken to execute it are directed at further uplifting the welfare of the people. The projects underway in cooperation with foreign investors create new opportunities for the development of the national economy and the steadfast elevation of life standards of the population.

The Hero of Uzbekistan, head of the Jizzakh district-based Quyoshsevar Parda farming enterprise Parda Ziyotov, chairman of the regional farmers’ council Anorboy Eshmatov, the Jizzakh Ovozi newspaper editor-in-chief Akram Inomov, chairman of the regional council of Kamolot youth social movement of Uzbekistan Azamat Darkhonov and other speakers underscored that the ever growing farmer movement serves to constantly raise the incomes of farmers.

All this is the end result of wide-scale transformation in progress under the leadership of the President of our country. They expressed gratitude to the head of our state for the continuous care for rural residents.

Later the day, President Islam Karimov arrived in Sirdarya region. Sirdarya region makes a significant contribution to help our nation achieve remarkable successes.

The measures taken under the leadership of our President on construction of modern houses, educational and medical institutions, production enterprises, new roads, picturesque parks, have radically changed the appearance of the region, welfare of the population, their outlook and thinking.

The growth of the gross regional product in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to 9.5 percent. Businesses ensure steady growth in industrial production, that of consumer goods, services and other industries and areas.

As a result of the consistent development of small business and private entrepreneurship, the share of small enterprises in the gross regional product is 53.5 percent. The created favorable business environment, the benefits and privileges provided to businesses enabled entrepreneurs to launch 181 small businesses in the first quarter of this year, in particular 57 new manufacturing facilities specializing in the production of industrial products.

This year farmers in the region cultivated cereal crops on almost 90 thousand hectares of land.

Islam Karimov talked with farmers on the fields of Avazbek Umarov farm in Akaltin district.

“In these most responsible days, it gives me a great pleasure to wish our hardworking farmers great successes,” the President said. “Your diligence, dedication helps our country reach new lofty goals.”

In the face of the ongoing global financial and economic crisis, annual growth in Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product has never fallen lower than 8.2 percent. The main factor in this development is that from the first days of independence, we have adhered to the principle of ‘reforms are not for the sake of reforms, but for the sake of people’, rationally use the huge socioeconomic potential of our country, and consistently follow the path on the basis of the Uzbek development model.

“Today, our people have changed their consciousness and have absolutely different judgment. The attitude of people, especially youths, to life and work has changed; their political and law culture is growing,” the President said.

The head of state stressed that the farmers’ movement is of great importance in the development of the national economy. In accordance with a presidential decree on measures to further improve the organization of activities and the development of farming in Uzbekistan signed October 22, 2012, farmers organized councils which play an important role in increasing the efficiency of work in the field.

Today, farmers are the backbone of our country, Islam Karimov insisted. We must provide them with more opportunities, promote diversified farming. For the farmer movement is a powerful force that serves the progressive development of our economy and quality of life.

Meetings and discussions during the trip of President Islam Karimov to Jizzakh and Sirdarya regions once again confirmed that the reforms being pursued in the country are affording considerable effects and serve the further development of our country and welfare of the people.

(Source: Press service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan