On April 3, an extraordinary session of the Tashkent City Council of People’s Deputies was held, with the attendance of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
During the meeting, the President expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to meet with the city’s public and discussed pressing issues. The importance of mitigating the negative impact of the current global economic situation, particularly in partner countries, on Uzbekistan’s economy and the population’s incomes was emphasized.
In his address, President Mirziyoyev highlighted the crucial role of the mahalla, or local self-governing body, in the country’s foundation. He stated that a strong economic base in the mahallas, where people can earn more, live better, and provide education for their children, is essential for the country’s stability and development.
In this context, the session focused on issues in the activities of responsible individuals and untapped opportunities in the districts. For instance, in Tashkent, there is a high demand from investors and entrepreneurs to implement projects, but there is a shortage of available land. To address this, the session proposed registering unused lands and putting 979 plots and 175 hectares of land up for auction, which have been converted from agricultural to industrial and residential zones.
The session also discussed the creation of a special industrial zone, “Yangi Avlod,” in the Yangikhayot district, spanning 764 hectares. This has attracted interest from local and foreign entrepreneurs, with proposed projects worth $2.5 billion, which could create tens of thousands of jobs.
The President emphasized the need to employ 80,000 economically active citizens, while there are currently 98,000 vacancies in enterprises and organizations in the capital.
The session also highlighted the need for a new approach to public safety and crime control.
Improving the quality of life for Tashkent residents remains a priority, and the session addressed the organizational matter. The President proposed the candidacy of Shavkat Umurzakov, the Acting Hokim, for the position of Hokim of Tashkent city.
Mr. Umurzakov, born in 1979 in Tashkent, has previously worked in the prosecutor’s office and served as the Chairman of the Board of Uzavtosanoat JSC from 2018 to 2023. Since last year, he has been acting as the Hokim of Tashkent city. The local council deputies had the opportunity to evaluate his work during the year.
After discussing and considering opinions from people’s deputies and public members, Shavkat Umurzakov was confirmed as the Hokim of Tashkent city through a voting process.
The President emphasized that Tashkent has the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve results, but the city hokims, district hokims, and representatives of the economic sector must become more active and work towards achieving high results.
The session also analyzed the potential for economic and social development in the city, using the example of the Yunusabad district.
Over the past seven years, the district has attracted $1.7 billion in foreign investment, leading to an increase in the number of enterprises, trade, and service facilities to 3.5 thousand and creating 20 thousand jobs. The district has also built new residential buildings for 6 thousand families, created 8 thousand student places, and opened 3 higher education institutions.
Yunusabad is the largest district in terms of area and the second-largest in terms of population, with 376 thousand residents living in 64 mahallas.
The district ranks first in tax revenue, although its per capita figure is not the highest. However, the district has the lowest share of the capital’s industry.
Based on this, the session identified untapped opportunities for increasing the population’s income.
For instance, the district will have 9 bank branches that will serve as a “bridge” between large clients and the 64 mahallas. As family incomes increase, there will be a higher demand for products from entrepreneurs who are bank clients, benefiting both the entrepreneurs and the banks.
The session also emphasized the need for banks to actively participate in increasing the population’s income and stabilizing the region’s economy. To encourage this, the interest rate on loans will be reduced for clients who create jobs, and the hokim’s assistants will provide training to unemployed individuals according to entrepreneurs’ requirements.
The session instructed responsible individuals to create the “Yunusabad Experience” to support entrepreneurship and improve the population’s well-being.
Given its strategic location, Yunusabad has many potential “growth points” for businesses. To attract new investments, projects in trade, services, and food can be implemented based on existing structures or government buildings, creating 7 thousand high-paying jobs.
In light of limited land availability, expanding the city’s industry and trade through vertical infrastructure expansion is necessary. For instance, there is potential to expand dehkan markets by increasing the number of storeys. Additionally, reconstructing buildings in a small industrial zone up to 3-4 floors could provide an additional 200 thousand square meters of space.
Moreover, increasing the number of public-private partnership projects can create thousands of jobs in the social services sector. For example, constructing a new building for City Hospital No. 7 could allow Korean investors to participate in building a multidisciplinary clinic with 420 beds on the vacated territory.
Based on research conducted in Yunusabad, the session identified the potential to attract $600 million in investment and create 35 thousand high-paying jobs.
The government has been instructed to study all districts and create 250 thousand high-paying jobs in Tashkent while attracting $2 billion in investment.
The session also highlighted the need to introduce advanced international experience in industries, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and public services in the capital.
Special attention was given to improving the mahallas. In line with national traditions, the session emphasized the need to intensify efforts in beautifying streets and courtyards and maintaining the cleanliness of the territory, with the leading role of mahalla chairpersons and representatives of the older generation.
To encourage this work, the President proposed a competition and the donation of an electric car to the most exemplary mahalla at the end of the year, which was warmly supported by the attendees.
After the session, the President engaged in discussions with people’s deputies, mahalla chairpersons, representatives of the intelligentsia, and youth.
UzA