Targeted measures to reduce poverty and unemployment were reviewed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on further measures to ensure employment, increase household incomes and reduce poverty in the country, based on the example of Khorezm Region, the press service of the head of our state reports.

During his visit to Khorezm Region, the head of state issued a number of instructions aimed at transforming the region into a territory free from poverty and unemployment.

The presentation reviewed plans developed to ensure the implementation of these instructions in each mahalla, as well as to turn existing opportunities into concrete projects and sustainable jobs.

Since the beginning of this year, incomes have increased for 162,000 people in the region, 29,000 citizens have been employed in permanent jobs, and informal employment has been legalized for 37,000 citizens.

As part of support for low-income families, more than 40,000 services were provided to 126,600 compatriots from 28,900 families. In particular, 12,400 people were employed in permanent jobs, 23,600 were engaged in entrepreneurial activities, 3,300 received financial assistance, and 1,100 underwent vocational training.

As a result, since the beginning of the year, the official incomes and material well-being of 127,000 people from 29,000 families included in the “Social Register” have improved. These families have been lifted out of poverty. The poverty rate in the region decreased from 6.7 percent at the beginning of the year to 3.9 percent.

There are currently 39,000 unemployed citizens in the region, while another 102,000 people are engaged in labor migration.

It was noted that one of the key issues in the field of employment is the mismatch between available vacancies and the professional qualifications of job seekers. Although more than 50,000 vacancies are currently available, some remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified personnel.

The head of state emphasized the need to revise the vocational training system and closely align it with labor market needs.

In surveys conducted, 63 percent of university students said they do not acquire sufficient practical skills during their studies. In this regard, instructions were given to strengthen practical training at secondary specialized and vocational education institutions, as well as to make wider use of the capabilities of higher education institutions in vocational training. The need to organize afternoon classes at universities aimed at developing students’ professional and practical skills was also emphasized.

The importance of organizing poverty reduction efforts in a new way, changing people’s attitudes toward work and entrepreneurship, and encouraging their activity and initiative was emphasized.

A total of 6.4 trillion soums was allocated for poverty reduction and employment measures. Of the 2.1 trillion soums in resources provided by commercial banks, 1.5 trillion soums in loans were allocated for projects in mahallas. Thus, all mahallas in the region received access to financial resources.

The President emphasized that the practical contribution of banks to reducing unemployment and poverty should be reflected in results achieved at the mahalla level. It was noted that banks should become “project factories” that turn local opportunities and initiatives into concrete business projects.

Attention was also paid to improving the effectiveness of the “mahalla seven” and mahalla bankers, with their performance to be assessed based on specific performance indicators. Instructions were given to develop new mechanisms defining their tasks, working methods and responsibilities in poverty reduction.

The presentation outlined plans to lift 81,000 people from 18,000 low-income families out of poverty and provide permanent employment to 39,000 unemployed citizens by the end of the year.

“This is not just about figures. We should take an individual approach to each person, know their capabilities well and, based on this, find them a decent job,” the President said.

To this end, investment projects in industry, services, tourism, transport, agriculture and construction will be utilized. Two hundred and fifty new enterprises will be established in industrial micro-centers, projects involving mahalla bankers will be expanded, and measures will be taken to create new jobs and legalize entrepreneurial activities.

Thirty-six cooperatives will be established in poultry farming, livestock breeding, fish farming, furniture production, greenhouse farming and crop production, involving 15,800 low-income families from 201 mahallas.

In addition, 70 “locomotive” projects will be implemented in 12 anchor and 38 adjacent mahallas, creating 1,100 jobs. A total of 650 billion soums will be allocated for entrepreneurial projects, enabling the implementation of 2,500 microprojects.

A development plan was also reviewed for Shikhbogi mahalla in Yangiarik district as an anchor mahalla. The mahallas of Karmish, Sherobod and Kattabog will also be included. These settlements are home to 18,200 people and have 319 business entities.

An industrial zone, an industrial micro-center, a modern market and service facilities will be established in the anchor and adjacent mahallas, while an intensive orchard and livestock and poultry complexes will be developed. Internal roads, pedestrian paths, and electricity and water supply infrastructure will also be improved.

With the participation of foreign consulting organizations, a master plan for the development of the area will be developed, while the qualifications of local designers will be upgraded. These measures are expected to create 1,500 stable jobs, increase household incomes by 20–30 percent, and make the area free from poverty and unemployment.

The head of state emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the existing mechanisms and methodology for working with vulnerable groups. Proposals will be prepared to take Uzbekistan’s poverty reduction policy to a new stage and discussed at a separate videoconference meeting.