On August 20-21, 2019, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Karakalpakstan.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been chairing a meeting in the city of Nukus to discuss comprehensive development of Karakalpakstan.
The event is attended by the leadership of the Jokargy Kenges and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, municipal and district sectors, officials of ministries and other government agencies.
It was noted that positive shifts have been conspicuous in all regions of our country, including in Karakalpakstan. In the first half of the year, the gross regional product in this part of the nation grew by 7.2 percent, agricultural production increased by 5.4 percent, and the volume of construction works swelled by 45 percent.
The President underscored that serious shortcomings persist in the region, and efforts on industrial development and job creation can barely be considered sufficient.
“I came here not for applause, but to work, to see how the people live,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev declared. “Sector leaders who are not able to change their mindset are shackles on our feet. Just imagine how happy a woman feels when she gets a job. After all, who will lead the youth, give them the right direction? You’ve seen everything on the model of Muynak. People are really inspired by the idea that we can do it. “It turns out to be doable!” is what one can read in their motivated eyes. Yet this is already a step we’ve passed. What we must do now is secure such transformation in all areas.”
The Head of the state cited with reproof the fact that in the first half of the year, the volume of industrial production in Karakalpakstan grew by only 0.5 percent, while in the Takhtakupir, Shumanay, Nukus, Chimbay, Turtkul, Kegeyli districts, manufacturing industry is practically missing. The President also pointed to the weak development of the services sector and entrepreneurship.
“As a result of the fundamental reforms spearheaded over the last three years, we have liberalized many spheres, eliminated the restrictions that used to impede development. And in Karakalpakstan, leaders of all sectors should make it a rule and a motto for themselves to remove barriers and support entrepreneurs,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev insisted.
At the meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Nukus, five priority areas for further development of Karakalpakstan have been identified.
Thus, the first direction is industrial advancement, establishment of large and small enterprises in all industries.
The second priority envisages the creation of conditions favorable for the rapid enlargement of entrepreneurship along with provision of comprehensive support for business.
Extensive introduction of state-of-the-art technologies in agriculture, augmentation of production volumes, increasing yields and expansion of the range of products are designated as the third priority direction.
The fourth area covers the creation of a modern infrastructure convenient for manufacturing industry.
Adoption of all-embracing measures to boost living standards in the Aral Sea region was identified as the fifth priority.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expounded on every one of the areas and stressed the need for vigorous work on them.
In the meantime, recommendations were given on orienting each district and town in Karakalpakstan to a specific industry, taking into account their specificity and capabilities.
Thus, Karauzak district will be specialized in production of building materials, while Beruni, Khojeyli, Nukus districts in horticulture, Takhtakupir in livestock, Shumanay – poultry farming, Ellikkala – viticulture and tourism, Muynak – fish farming and livestock, Kegeyli – livestock and paper malting industry, Kanlikul – cultivation of legumes and rice.
The expediency of directing the potential of Kungrad district to the petrochemical industry and animal husbandry, the Chimbay district to the cultivation and processing of licorice, Turtkul – production of glass and food products, Amudarya district – gardening, textiles and silk production, the city of Nukus – to pharmaceuticals and electrical engineering was noted, along with transformation of Takhiatash district into an industrial zone.
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Presidential schools should set the tone and change the educational environment. This was the idea that the Head of the state forwarded while visiting the construction site of the Presidential School in the city of Nukus.
It was in Nukus, during his last year’s trip to the city, that Shavkat Mirziyoyev came up with the initiative to establish presidential schools, and proposed to build the first such institution in Karakalpakstan. A corresponding resolution was inked on February 20 earlier this year.
The construction of the Presidential School in Nukus is proceeding at an accelerated pace. The results of admission procedure conducted jointly with the Examination Council of the University of Cambridge demonstrate that the worthiest children indeed were chosen out.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev insisted that both the building of the school and the educational process in it reveal the highest standards, and that its high-quality construction and commissioning by the Constitution Day (celebrated in Uzbekistan on 8 December) be ensured. Meanwhile, children will study in other premises.
Education at the school will be conducted in English, in accordance with the STEAM program as well as the curriculum developed with participation of foreign specialists. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, information technology and foreign languages are to be taught in depth using advanced learning methods.
The Head of the state enquired into the process of selecting teachers for work in this institution.
“Both the teachers and students of the school should be the most commendable”, the President noted. “Here, spirituality and sense of patriotism should be nurtured along with provision of deep knowledge. In each district, basic kindergartens and schools should be formed so that this school admits children with robust knowledge. All this shall uplift the general standards and the substance of training, ultimately changing the educational environment”.
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The President of Uzbekistan has visited the Madad Botir farming enterprise in Takhiatash district and inquired into the state of cotton development.
The farm has a total of 110 hectares of land, 60 hectares of which are allocated for nurturing cotton.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev pointed out the shortcomings in agricultural technology works, outlined his recommendations for accelerating the growth of cotton and increasing the yield. The President noted the need for widespread use of science’s achievements in agriculture and creation of varieties suitable for Karakalpakstan’s climate.
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Two combined-cycle plants with a capacity of 230-280 MW each are under construction at Takhiatash Thermal Power Station.
During his trip to Karakalpakstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with efforts in progress toward the realization of this investment project.
“We have set ourselves high goals in the advancement of national industry, have been attracting foreign direct investments to this end. What we need, first and foremost, is a solid infrastructure. This project is rather critical in improving the energy supply in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm, in securing uninterrupted supply of electricity to the population, especially in the fall-winter period”, the Head of the state informed.
Similar strategic plans are underway in other regions, too. In particular, the Turakurgan Thermal Power Station is being built, while the Navoi Thermal Power Station and the Ferghana Thermal Power Center are being modernized.
The total cost of the Takhiatash project that is being implemented in accordance with the President’s resolution of 11 September 2017, is 678.2 million US dollars. The introduction of two combined cycle plants will increase the total capacity of the power station from 730 to 1,003 MW, save 488.6 million cubic meters of natural gas a year, reduce annual water consumption by 293 million cubic meters, as well as create about 100 jobs.
It is planned that the first installation will be commissioned in November this year, and the second – in January 2020.
The project is implemented jointly with South Korean companies Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. Shavkat Mirziyoyev talked with their representatives.
Thereupon, the President completed his trip to the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
