INFORMATION DIGEST OF PRESS OF UZBEKISTAN # 84

May 1, 2017

POLITICS
Meeting of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

ECONOMY
The silk branch of Uzbekistan will be reformed

INFRASTRUCTURE
The fourth in succession high-speed Spanish train Talgo arrived in Tashkent. The new train is designed to carry 287 people

BUSINESS CLIMATE
Small industrial zone to be created in Yangiyer city of the Syrdarya region

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF DIALOGUE “CENTRAL ASIA PLUS JAPAN” (ASHGABAT, APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2017)
Meeting with Head of UN Regional Centre

Meeting with Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN
NAEMM Media Hall in Tashkent has hosted a conference on the outcomes of the Actions Stratefgy in the first quarter of 2017. It has brought together parliamentarians, heads of 15 ministries and departments, representatives of the public and mass media

POLITICS

Meeting of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
On 29 April President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited South Kazakhstan region and had a working meeting with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have been developing in the spirit of good neighbourliness, fraternity and mutual respect. Mutual interactions have been reinvigorating in all spheres.
The state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan on 22-23 March 2017 has opened a new page in the cooperation of our countries. The important documents, signed following the negotiations and the agreed arrangements have been steadily implemented in life.
During the meeting in South Kazakhstan region, the process of realizing the agreements, reached between the two countries during the state visit of the President of our country to Kazakhstan in March this year, was discussed.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev underlined that the intensity of bilateral meetings directly translates to the efficiency of the inter-state relations.
— After our visit in March, we have adopted a Roadmap on all areas of joint activity. The meetings ministers and heads of regions have intensified, - President Mirziyoyev said.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev highlighted that following the previous meeting, the business activity between the two countries have increased.
— In the first quarter of this year, the level of business interactions in different sectors of the economy have risen. We should underscore transport-communications sphere, auto industry, as well as regional cooperation on a wide array of issues. The mutual trade in the first three months of 2017 has increased by 37 per cent, - the President of Kazakhstan remarked.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly thanked President Nursultant Nazarbayev for today’s meeting.
The Heads of the two states expressed confidence in maintaining and further developing positive dynamics of the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan cooperation.
* * *
Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan visited «Caspian Food» LLP, where they were informed about the activity of the company in the sphere of developing viticulture and winemaking.
The Heads of the two states got acquainted with the technological line of grape reception, fermentation cycle, as well as inspected the distillation and bottling shop.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Nursultan Nazarbayev were also demonstrated the zones for planting vineyards and walnuts.
(Source: UzA)

ECONOMY

The silk branch of Uzbekistan will be reformed
A number of privileges will be provided to the organizations manufacturing silkworm eggs, and the general share of volumes of processing of cocoons will be increased to 50% by 2021.
The silk branch of Uzbekistan has deep historical roots and the centuries-old settled traditions.
Since the achievement of independence by Uzbekistan, the structural transformations aimed at further deepening economic reforms in the sphere of sericulture, creating favorable conditions for attraction of foreign investments into silk branch of the republic for modernization and creation of new production capacities, increase in volume and expansion of the range of finished goods competitive in the world market are carried out in silk branch of the country. Favorable climatic conditions for the republic promote continuation of rich cultural and historical heritage of silk production and further development of sericulture branch in regions. More than 80 million units of linear plantings and 51 thousand hectares of mulberry plantations existing today provide rearing silkworm larvae in volume of 450 thousand boxes and production about 26 thousand tons of a silkworm cocoons.
Along with this the accelerated development of chemical branch, growth of volumes of artificial and synthetic fibers have led to decrease in demand for silkworm breeding production in the world market.
Manufacturers of silk production are interested in further decrease in production cost, expansion of the range and improvement of quality of silk production.
As the analysis shows, the weakest link in silkworm breeding is production of silkworm eggs. Use of morally and materially outdated equipment doesn’t satisfy needs of for silkworm larvae cultivation farms of the republic.
To cover the arisen deficiency of a silkworm eggs, 230-250 thousand boxes of silkworm eggs are imported annually that makes up to 50% of the needs of the industry. The existing mulberry plantations are used insufficiently effectively, and in the winter the yield of mulberry significantly reduced.
Besides, rearing silkworm is still done in a residential area. Insufficient material stimulation of cocoon manufacturers, absence of relevant conditions for rearing silkworm in premises doesn’t allow to achieve high productivity and quality of cocoons.
Acceptance and primary processing of cocoons is performed in regional and inter-enterprise "Pilla" equipped with morally obsolete and costly equipment, and due to the absence of sufficient number of the attached farms the silkworm eggs enterprises aren’t provided with breeding cocoons in full. Because of insufficient production of cocoon raw materials, silk-reeling facilities and silk-weaving enterprises are not capable of working at full capacity.
Lack of a single organizational and technological chain of silk production, coordination and system approach at production of branch hinders further development of silkworm breeding, influencing quality of the manufactured cocoons, financial and economic condition of the enterprises, providing the silk-reeling enterprises with cocoon raw materials and the silk-weaving enterprises with raw silk.
To enhance prestige of branch its further reforming aimed at the complex development of silk branch on the basis of creation of the uniform full-fledged organizational and technological chain providing intensive development of a food supply, constant improvement of processes of rearing and harvesting silkworm cocoons, a widespread introduction of effective methods of production and deep processing of silkworm cocoons, raw silk, silk yarn, establishing manufacture of finished silk products, increase in the export potential of branch are required. To solve the existing problems in branch the resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "About measures for the organization of activity of Uzbekipaksanoat Association" is accepted.
According to the resolution, the "Uzbekipaksanoat" Association will be created and include five regional societies, established with the participation of commercial banks, with the consolidation of economic activity zones behind them, and ensuring the coordination of the work of the territorial enterprises of the silk industry. It also provides for the creation of territorial and district "Agropilla" enterprises, whose tasks are to ensure the incubation of quality silkworm eggs and its distribution to homemakers and organizations engaged in silkworm breeding, provision of land for feed, technical and technological equipment, advisory services for cocooning and harvesting silkworm, monitoring of the cultivation, harvesting and harvesting of silkworm cocoons.
The main tasks and directions of activity of the "Uzbekipaksanoat" Association are to improve the forage base of silkworm breeding on the basis of effective interaction with the relevant state authorities and local executive authorities to provide irrigated land for strengthening the feed base of the industry, to expand the linear plantations and plantations of mulberry and conduct secondary activities on agricultural lands and plantation parts during periods not used for silkworm feeding. These lands are planned to be used for vegetable growing, animal husbandry, poultry farming and other types of agricultural activities, with the subsequent sale of products in the domestic and foreign markets.
Particular attention in the Resolution is paid to the production of silkworm eggs and cocoons, harvesting and their primary processing by introducing highly productive breeds and silkworm hybrids, modernization of existing and creating new capacities for the production of raw silk, as well as organization of deep processing of silkworm cocoons, realization of program measures for development of silk industry consecutive carrying out single scientific and technical, technological, investment and export policy, rendering full support and improvement of standard and legal base.
In order to develop and implement the program measures for further complex development of silk industry for 2017-2021 the resolution has established the Working group for preparation of suggestions for improvement of system of a silkworm cocoons preprocessing, widespread introduction of modern methods of quality management, demand of the range and design of finished product, its certification and standardization according to the international requirements, as well as for training personnel for silk industry in the high-educational institutions.
The international experience shows that cultivation of cocoons is specific activity in which success depends on experience of the employee of industry and his material interest. To ensure financial support of the enterprises of silk industry and carry out their modernization, expansion and strengthening of a forage base, increase in the production of silkworm cocoons, the Regulation provides granting privileges on payment of unified tax payment, unified social payment to the organizations producing silkworm cocoons and customs privileges for the imported material resources till January 1, 2023.
With the aim of cardinal increasing interest and broad involvement of rural population in cultivation of a silkworm cocoons, the industry is exempted from payment of an income tax of natural persons – the home-workers engaged in cultivation of live silkworm cocoons.
The document also defines effective measures on social stimulation of workers of silkworm breeding and the home-workers engaged in cultivation of live cocoons, the resolution provides inclusion of the period of the seasonal works counted for a year of work for award of pension in their seniority. These privileges and preferences will increase material interest of the population engaged in cultivation of silkworm cocoons, will open ample opportunities not only to the home-workers engaged in cultivation of live silkworm cocoons and the organizations producing silkworm cocoons but also to the enterprises of silk industry which are engaged in processing of raw silk and manufacturing finished goods.
Implementation of the measures provided by the resolution will allows creating the complete control system of silk industry covering all its aspects and providing its dynamic development.
Strengthening and expansion of forage base, the establishment of systems for the cultivation of cocoons in the vicinity of mulberry plantations, imports of high-yielding (cold-tolerant) mulberry saplings, producing twice as much crop will increase the volume of cocoons harvesting by 35 thousand tns. (135%), and provide output including silk yarn and finished products with high added value.
Implementation of above measures will lead by 2021 to increase of the total share of volumes of silkworm cocoons processing to 50%, with the creation of new jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows due to exports.
(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

INFRASTRUCTURE

The fourth in succession high-speed Spanish train Talgo arrived in Tashkent. The new train is designed to carry 287 people
Unlike the one brought in 2011, the fourth one is different with two additional economy-class cars, which have increased the number of seats by 72.
Let us recall that another Spanish Talgo was delivered to the capital earlier in March. Today, it runs on the route Tashkent-Bukhara-Tashkent. The timetable is currently being rescheduled for Afrosiyob electric trains due to the delivery of the fourth rolling stock.
Domestic railways have been operating trains and passenger cars by the Spanish Talgo for more than five years. They were named after the ancient settlement Afrosiyob, and serve passengers on the route Tashkent-Karshi, Tashkent-Bukhara, Tashkent-Samarkand.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

BUSINESS CLIMATE

Small industrial zone to be created in Yangiyer city of the Syrdarya region
On March 30 President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyeev have signed a resolution “On creating small industrial zone in Yangiyer city of Syrdarya region”.
The document is accepted for further development of industrial capacity of the city of Yangiyer, formation of favorable conditions for stimulation of activity of small business entities and attraction of investments into the organization of modern industries manufacturing hottest-selling, competitive in the internal and external markets products, and for rational and effective use of road and transport and engineering and communication infrastructures, ensuring creation on this basis of new jobs and increase income of population.
Under the resolution Sirdarya’s khokimiyat together with the state Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on land resources, geodesy, cartography and state cadastre of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the State committee on architecture and construction of the Republic of Uzbekistan are entrusted to set out borders of the land plot included in structure of the small industrial zone, and the corresponding land allocation in accordance with the established procedure in one month period.
It is stated that:
the land plots included in structure of the small industrial zone are under direct authority of a hokimiyat of the Syrdarya region;
the estimated period of its operation is 30 years with possible extension.
The main activities of the small industrial zone are determined:
the accelerated development of small business, provision of employment and scale up income of the population of the Syrdarya region gained from business activity;
implementation of projects on creating new modern hi-tech production capacities in the field of textile, footwear, leather products, ecologically safe chemical, food and electronics goods, construction materials, deep processing of fruits and vegetables and other demanded lines ;
ensuring complex and effective use of production and resource potential of Syrdarya regions
Deepening the process of localization of production of high-tech products based on local raw materials and materials by establishing close cooperative relations and consecutive development of industrial cooperation with the organizations of the republic.
According to the resolution, participants of the small industrial zone — production microfirms and small enterprises, since date of making decision on location of economic entity in the territory of the small industrial zone will be exempted from payment of:
unified tax;
customs duties (except for application fees) for the import of necessary goods for own production needs within implementation of projects in the territory of the small industrial zone, the equipment, raw materials, materials and components, as well as a metalwork and construction materials, according to the lists approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
These preferences will be in force for three years provided that participants of small industrial zone make investments totaling no less than 2000 minimum wages.
If the revenue of the participant of small industrial zone is lower than 1,000 size of minimal salary, the exemptions will be annulled and the business will have to repay the taxes for the respective year in order established by the legislation.
In case of sale or gratuitous transfer of the equipment, raw materials, materials and components, metalwork and construction materials delivered with application of customs privileges within three years from the moment of their import, customs duties are charged in full in the order established by the legislation.
Lets as recall that according to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan d.d. 20, 2017 ‘On Additional Measures for Socio-Economic Development and Further Improvement of Population Welfare in Sirdarya Region’, commercial banks and business unions have been tasked with organizing 207 projects with a total worth of $40mln. in the territory of the created small industrial zone in the city of Yangiyer of the Syrdarya region .
(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF DIALOGUE “CENTRAL ASIA PLUS JAPAN” (ASHGABAT, APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 2017)

Meeting with Head of UN Regional Centre
On April 30, 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Petko Draganov in Ashgabat.
During the conversation, the sides discussed the state and prospective directions of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN, as well as the UNRCCA, priorities of the agenda of the UN Regional Centre.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Meeting with Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan
On April 30, 2017, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov in Ashgabat.
The Heads of the foreign policy agencies exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral relations, the agenda of the Sixth Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Dialogue “Central Asia plus Japan”, as well as international and regional issues.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

THE STRATEGY OF ACTIONS ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN

NAEMM Media Hall in Tashkent has hosted a conference on the outcomes of the Actions Stratefgy in the first quarter of 2017. It has brought together parliamentarians, heads of 15 ministries and departments, representatives of the public and mass media
As emphasized at the opening of the event, organized by the Development Strategy Center and the National Association of Electronic Mass Media, much has been done in the framework of the Action Strategy in a short period of time. Most importantly, we all are not just witnesses, but executives of the policy document, which is aimed at building a bright future for the country.
Then the attention of the participants was switched to the screen, which featured the attitudes of common citizens of our country toward the Strategy, and their views on the fulfillment of the document objectives. In particular, a local pensioner took the opportunity of free travel in the subway with great enthusiasm; a young mother shared her impressions on improved conditions in the pre-school educational institution her son is attending after a visit of parliamentarians to their district; a starting entrepreneur told how she managed to get a loan for starting a business after she applied to the President’s Virtual Reception.
People positively responded to the regulation of prices for medicines, medical reforms, issuance of pensions and allowances in cash, the increased number of POS terminals in trade outlets, favorable conditions for businessmen and farmers.
Executives and representatives of ministries of economy, internal affairs, health, the Central Bank and other departments reported on the first results of implementation of the Action Strategy, and answered numerous questions of journalists. The organizers arranged a teleconference with the regions of the republic and users of social networks, who came up with proposals and asked questions online.
Speakers on each priority area of the Strategy reported on the course of its implementation on streamlining of state and public construction, ensuring the rule of law and further reformation of the judicial and legal system, development and liberalization of the economy, strengthening of social sector, ensuring security, interethnic harmony and religious tolerance, and pursuance of a balanced, mutually beneficial and constructive foreign policy.
A new council received a constitutional status. Article 111 of the Constitution stipulates the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a judicial community body to assist in ensuring compliance with the constitutional principle of the independence of the judiciary in the country. This status serves as an important constitutional guarantee for independent and effective fulfilment of Council’s functions. This is a generally accepted standard in international practice, so the constitutions of many developed democratic states reflect the norms that regulate the operation of similar judiciary bodies.
It is worth mentioning that the organization and activities of the Supreme Judicial Council are regulated not by a provision approved by a decision of the head of state, as previously, but by law. A Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council is not appointed by the Presidential Decree from among the members of the Senate, but by the Senate on the proposal of the head of state, just like executives of other independent constitutional bodies. The appointment of the Chairman of the Council has become a prerogative of the upper house of Parliament.
In addition, the Supreme Judicial Council Chairman is assigned by the Constitution for participation in the meetings of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate, among few persons, thereby proving his high status and authority, and ensuring his independence and inviolability.
Research will play a specific role in the work of the Council. It will promote further improvement of the legislation in the judicial and legal areas, ensuring the true independence of the judiciary and unified judicial practice, expanding access to justice, and improving quality of its administration.
The ongoing reforms in the framework of the Action Strategy have been contributing to ensuring a reliable protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms by the court, true independence of the judiciary, enhancement of their effectiveness and authority, and the level of access to justice.
168 state authorities are involved in implementation of the country’s policy program for the next five years. In the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests, it is envisaged to fulfill 320 items, 72 of which were scheduled for the first quarter. Introduction of amendments and additions to 10 laws, drafting of 20 Presidential decrees and resolutions, six Government decrees, and 15 integrated agendas ranks among the priority tasks.
A system-based study of the real state of affairs in the regions by senators and deputies has been organized in the first quarter of the current year at the initiative of the head of state. The quality of life of citizens has been improving under effective mechanisms of parliamentary control. In addition, the elected people’s representatives introduce the public to the essence and importance of new Presidential decrees and resolutions, laws, and other regulatory legal acts.
For three months, MPs visited 39 districts of the republic, more than 22,800 families. At the meetings with over 218,000 citizens, MPs received more than 20,000 appeals, 70% of which could be addressed at the local level. Unfortunately, as noted by speakers, the main reason of all revealed problems and omissions centers around insufficient attention of executives of local state bodies to vital concerns of citizens.
The results of the study pave the way to drafting new laws and proposals on introduction of additions and amendments to the current legislation on the basis of people’s proposals. This is an obvious proof of expansion of the legal culture of the population, the sense of belonging to the ongoing changes.
Forms of parliamentary control are now applied more frequently, the activity of local councils of people’s representatives have noticeably catalyzed. The Senate of the Oliy Majlis has launched an information and analytical department, which aims at ensuring effective implementation of the Law ‘On parliamentary control’. These measures help to bring the level of control and analytical work to a new qualitaty level, and establish a direct dialogue with the people to address their pressing problems.
Public administration has been streamlined and reformed, the state’s share in the economy continues to decline, certain steps are being taken to develop the ‘e-government’ system.
It is envisaged to adopt the Law ‘On civil service’, which would streamline the rights and duties of civil servants, their social protection, financial security. It is also planned to adopt a new version of the Law ‘On local authorities’ in furtherance of democratization of administrative structures, and bringing government bodies closer to the people.
Reforms in the judicial and legal sectors are also aimed at ensuring citizens’ rights, freedoms and legitimate interests. In particular, a unified judicial body - the Supreme Judicial Council, was established as part of this work. A new institution of punishment in the form of mandatory public works was founded, specific deadlines and age limits were specified in relation of the judge’s tenure. Economic courts will become an effective mechanism to settle business disputes. The terms of re-examination of court decisions in civil cases was cut from three to one year.
With regard to the development and liberalization of the economy, it was reported on implementation of six projects on the purchase of a high-speed electric train Talgo-250, construction of railways, their repair and electrification, and upgrade of wagon trains. About $107.7 million was spent for these purposes. A dozen of projects totaling $12.7 million were focused on expansion of the manufacture of finished leather and footwear products. 32 million of investments empowered the commissioning of three new and upgraded enterprises in the textile and knitted industries.
“The Action Strategy envisages strengthening of the international authority of Uzbekistan, improvement of investment indicators and implementation of major investment projects,” said Feruz Rakhmatov, a Chief at the Ministry of Economy. “This requires funding sources. Much attention has been paid to drawing direct investments, that is, foreign enterprises come to us with modern technologies and know-how. In turn, this opens up new export destinations, creation of additional jobs. Long-term investments with a small percentage but big returns would improve people’s welfare. A well-considered state policy in this direction will have to avoid the increase in the country’s foreign debt.”
He also reported on completion of major and current repairs of 1,100 km of inter-farm roads and village streets. Financial institutions allocated about 80 billion soums (currency rates of CB RU from 01.05.2017, 1$= 3706.22 soums) of loan funds to involve vocational college graduates in entrepreneurial activities. 2,633 investment projects were implemented within the framework of regional programs on the development of agriculture and services, 17,600 new jobs were created.
Over 1,800 km of collector-drainage networks and 15 hydraulic structures were reconstructed as part of improvement of meliorative state of irrigated lands. Uzbekistan has expanded planting of vegetables on 106.500 hectares, potatoes - on 64,900 hectares, and melons – on 9,400 hectares in the framework of the measures taken to ensure food security, expand harvesting of fruits and vegetables, potatoes and grapes, and prevent price surge in the domestic market.
Commercial banks allocated 2.5 trillion soums of loans to finance citizens’ initiatives in growing agricultural products, livestock, poultry and beekeeping development, establishment of greenhouse farms, further development of services, as well as financial support for women’s entrepreneurship.
The third priority area of the Action Strategy concerns, among other things, ensuring reliable protection of rights and guarantees of private property, full freedom for the development of entrepreneurship. The measures on introduction of modern principles and mechanisms of regulation of banking activities, modernization and active diversification of the leading industries, reformation of the financial and banking sector with regard to ensuring stability of the national currency and prices, the gradual introduction of modern market mechanisms of currency regulation are expected to enhance the effectiveness on ongoing large-scale reforms in this area.
The ongoing transformations have a positive impact on the entire economy. The created infrastructure, application of various maintenance methods ensure the effectiveness of market mechanisms. Improvement of quality and expansion of the service range through the expansion of insurance, leasing and other financial services, development of the stock market as an alternative source of accommodation of free funds of enterprises, financial institutions and the population has been in constant focus.
The lack or even absence of collateral for obtaining loans by small businesses and private entrepreneurs, especially in terms of funding of investment projects, is a pressing challenge for the banking sector. In order to address the problem, the Central Bank initiated the establishment of a Guarantee Fund for the Development of Small Business.
The Fund secures small businesses with the collateral for commercial bank loans that are issued for the purchase of new modern technological equipment and other purposes, in part not covered by the pledge. It is proposed that the resource base of the Guarantee Fund will be expanded through channeling funds of international financial institutions, foreign funds and banks. The Fund will provide consulting assistance to small business entities on the terms of granting loans by commercial banks, assistance in the creation and expansion of high-tech and innovative manufactures.
Insurance and leasing services have been increasingly developing in our country. However, the lack of the structures rendering such services in the destricts limits the population’s access to them. As a result, residents of rural areas who wish to engage in private business have to spend money and time to visit the regional centers.
Now, local communities are attached to each banking branch, based on their location, the number of families and able-bodied people living in them. Visiting the residents, bank workers not just offer banking services, but also study proposals and complaints of people.
Access to microfinance services for graduates of educational institutions, the unemployed citizens registered with labor agencies, and other segments of the population in need of employment has been expanding concurrently with the stimulation of development of family and private entrepreneurship.
These measures have been contributing to the creation of new jobs in small, family and private entrepreneurship, facilitating access of business entities to microfinance services, increasing incomes of low-income and socially vulnerable segments of the population, strengthening the role of citizens’ self-government bodies in securing employment of the population.
Measures on further improvement of the healthcare sector, and elimination of problems and shortcomings remain relevant. Specific ‘road maps’ were developed for the regions on the basis of the approved presidential decrees and resolutions. The progress is tracked by a system-based monitoring of ongoing transformations, follow-up activities are being corrected respectively, and shortcomings are eliminated. For example, the price policy for medicines is currently being revised.
There is an important positive change in this area: the maternal mortality rate in the first quarter of the current year has decreased by 56% YOY. There are also significant changes in equipping emergency medical services.
The participants also considered progress in other areas of the Strategy.
“The tourist sector has undergone serious reforms over the past four to five months,” said First Deputy Foreign Minister Javlon Vakhabov. “For instance, the National company Uzbektourism was transformed into the State Committee for Tourism Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A separate presidential decree addressed the whole range of issues related to the increase in tourist flows to our country. In particular, certain visa exemptions, including those for people of retirement age, will come into effect in the next five years since 2021.”
... The first outcomes of implementation of the Action Strategy in a very short period clearly demonstrate the extent to which it enhances the effectiveness of the reforms, ensuring the result-oriented development of the state and society, and liberalization of all areas of life.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)

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