Since the beginning of the year, Uzbekistan's economy has grown by 8.5%. Growth of 8% in industry, 16.9% in services, 13.8% in construction, and 4.7% in agriculture was ensured. Investment volume reached $28 billion, and exports reached $14.4 billion. Also, international rating agencies "Fitch and Moody" upgraded Uzbekistan's sovereign credit rating by one notch.
At the same time, the head of state emphasized the need to increase economic growth rates to 9–10% to improve the lives of over 40 million people.
"If the work of every minister and governor is not felt in the living culture of the people, if it does not ease the burden of entrepreneurs, any result will remain just a number on paper", the President said.
At the meeting, the implementation of six-month plans by regional and sector leaders was critically analyzed. It was noted that in some regions, existing opportunities in gross regional product, construction, investment, industry, and export were not fully utilized. It was decided that responsibility would be increased for leaders who fail to fulfill monthly, quarterly, and annual plans.
In order to organize work in neighborhoods based on a new system, the "Urgent 40 Days" was announced. During this period, work began in the 2,000 most difficult neighborhoods based on a new approach. Governors will be personally responsible for resolving issues related to electricity, gas, roads, and drinking water in these neighborhoods.
The employment system will be directed towards training needy people in professions, placing them in jobs, and increasing their income. The activities of banks and neighborhood associations will be reviewed, and the next three months have been designated as a period of practical certification for them.
The meeting also paid special attention to supporting entrepreneurship and improving the business environment. It was noted that currently, 51 ministries and agencies have the authority to impose financial fines in 322 areas. In 2024-2026, fines totaling nearly 3 trillion soums were imposed.
The President emphasized that punitive agencies should learn not to immediately fine an entrepreneur, but first to give them an opportunity and show the right path. All ministries and agencies were tasked with developing proposals to reduce bureaucracy, excessive fines, fees, and charges in the system.
Some shortcomings in industry and export were also criticized. Instructions were given to review the work of governors who have not shown results, and to take strict measures against responsible leaders if there are no positive changes by the end of nine months.
In the analysis of strategic enterprises, it was noted that the cost of production has increased in some large enterprises, and losses are high in the energy sector. The task was set to increase the market value of large companies, prepare them for IPO processes, and enhance their attractiveness to external investors.
Tax revenues have increased by 27% since the beginning of the year, exceeding 130 trillion soums. However, it was criticized that the annual plan for additional revenues is not being sufficiently fulfilled.
Tasks were also identified to restore the operations of non-operating enterprises. In particular, it was noted that due to some textile enterprises not working, 5 trillion soums worth of products and $400 million worth of export opportunities are being lost.
It was also criticized that since the beginning of the year, 57 sectoral and 76 regional enterprises have reduced production volume by 11 trillion soums. Responsible persons were tasked with analyzing non-operating enterprises one by one and restoring their operations.
Within the framework of the new privatization program, it was decided to put up for sale real estate, land plots, and state shares worth 100 trillion soums, and to ease payment conditions for entrepreneurs who purchase state assets.
In the last three years, 509 export-oriented capacities worth $11 billion have been launched.
However, 208 of them have not yet started exporting. It was noted that by directing at least 30-40% of the products of these enterprises to external markets, an additional $1.5-2 billion in foreign currency revenue could be secured.
It was also criticized that 29 out of 47 special economic zones have not carried out any exports since the beginning of the year. "Rapid response teams" will be organized to quickly resolve issues related to certification, working capital, market, and logistics for enterprises and special economic zones that have not started exporting.
The issue of promoting local brands to foreign markets was also discussed. In the last two years, financial assistance worth 15.5 billion soums has been provided in this direction. However, one-third of local enterprises that have registered their own brands have not yet started exporting. Therefore, a program will be developed to promote local brands to foreign markets and protect them from dumping and counterfeit products.
It was said that 70% of foreign trade cargo is transported by rail, but a shortage of wagons and high loads on some railway routes are causing logistical difficulties.
Responsible persons were tasked with attracting additional wagons and reaching an agreement to attract $200 million from the World Bank for the development of railway infrastructure.
The implementation of agreements reached during high-level visits was also reviewed. In recent years, agreements on 1,617 investment projects worth $213 billion have been reached during 52 visits. Now, the implementation of these "roadmaps" will be strictly monitored by the Accounts Chamber and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Issues of curbing inflation and ensuring food security were also addressed. It was stated that 300 billion soums have been allocated to cover the costs of transporting imported meat by air due to the increase in meat prices.
Additional funds will be allocated to support livestock projects. The task was set to import 100,000 head of cattle and 150,000 head of sheep and goats from abroad by the end of the year.
Also, instructions were given to form reserves of fruits, vegetables, and potatoes, and to build refrigerated warehouses. It was planned to launch 340 refrigerated warehouses with a capacity of 87,000 tons by the end of the year.
The head of state emphasized that no one can predict how long the uncertainties in the global economy will last. It was noted that the slowdown in economic activity in key partner countries could affect local enterprises, especially exporters.
Therefore, it was emphasized that all leaders must be ready to mobilize available reserves, taking into account any risks. Together with the ";think tanks" attached to sectors and regions, scientifically based proposals will be developed by August 15.
These proposals will be aimed at the interconnected development of the "resource - infrastructure - project - production - budget revenue - export" chain. Macroeconomic parameters, budget, investment, and export programs for 2027 will be prepared based on a "mobilization scenario".
At the meeting, reports from ministers, sector leaders, and governors, as well as plans for organizing the implementation of assigned tasks on the ground, were heard.
