The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan held a session o­n 29 January to consider the results of the socioeconomic development of the country in 2009 and the main priorities for 2010.

President Islam Karimov participated in the session. In his speech, the head of the state said that thanks to correct development and modernization strategy, and mobilization of efforts for implementation of 2009-2012 Anti-Crisis Program, the country managed not o­nly to withstand the challenges of the global crisis, but ensure stable economic and social growth.

Macroeconomic stability and stable economic growth rates are a proof of the correctness of the economic course chosen by Uzbekistan and acknowledged as the Uzbek model of economic reforms, the President noted.

Last year, the GDP of Uzbekistan increased by 8.1%, industrial production by 9%, agricultural production by 5.7%, retail trade turnover by 16.6% and paid services by 12.9%.

The state budget was implemented with a surplus without cuts in budget spending, while the inflation level did not exceed the forecast and comprised 7.4%, the head of the state said.

The measures to strengthen the banking and financial sector have allowed to increase the cumulative capital of the banks two times in the past two years, while the share of bank credits used for investment purposes has reached 70%.

The country has implemented a complex of measures to ensure financial stability of the enterprises of the real sector, mainly through modernization of production, reduction of the products’ cost price, expansion of cooperative ties among local companies and stimulating internal demand. The volume of localized production increased 2.3 times last year, with launch of more than 120 new types of products.
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President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution o­n 27 January o­n the State Program “Year of harmoniously developed generation”. As reported earlier, the year 2010 was proclaimed Year of harmoniously developed generation in Uzbekistan.

The document envisages implementation of a wide range of measures aimed at creating of required conditions in the country for upbringing healthy and harmoniously developed generation, and realization of the young people’s potential.

Among the key tasks of the program are improvement of the legislation related to protection of the rights and interests of the children and youth, and expanding reforms in healthcare sector.

The program also stipulates improvement of the educational standards, study programs and literature, improvement of education in schools, professional colleges and lyceums, wide introduction of ICT in education and stimulating teachers.

One of the tasks included in the State Program is development and introduction in the people’s lives of the modern information and communication technologies, digital communication tools and the Internet.

An important area is strengthening activities in attracting the young people to sports and promoting healthy lifestyle, construction of new sports complexes and preparation of highly qualified trainers.

The program also includes issues of stimulation of the small business and private entrepreneurship, with creating conditions for attracting the youth to this area, especially in the rural areas.

The government has been entrusted with developing a package of measures for development of science and supporting the young people in their scientific activities.

Strengthening support of the young families and ensuring their legal and social protection, as well as protecting the young people from alcohol and drug abuse are other tasks of the program.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of Oliy Majils held a joint session o­n 27 January in Tashkent. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the session.

Among the participants were members of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of national organizations, foreign ambassadors and diplomats, representatives of international organizations and the media.

Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Dilorom Tashmuhamedova chaired the joint session.

After the approval of the session agenda, the deputies and the senators considered the appeal of the Cabinet o­n turning over its authorities before the newly elected parliament and approved it. The parliament also entrusted the government to continue its duties until the new government is formed.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov made a report at the session titled “Modernization of the country and building strong civil society is our main priority”.
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The newly elected Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan held its first session o­n 26 January in Tashkent. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the session.

Opening the session, chairman of the Central Election Commission Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov informed the participants about the results of formation of the Senate and congratulated the senators with their election.

The senators approved the session agenda, elected the interim secretariat of the first session and the interim group for control of the use of electronic system.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov made a speech at the session.

“It is a great pleasure for me to meet you today, express my sincere respect and good wishes, and congratulate all of you with winning the high trust of the voters and obtaining the title of the senator,” the head of the state said.

The newly formed Senate includes representatives of spheres like industry, construction, agriculture, science, culture, education, healthcare and other organizations, Islam Karimov said.
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President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree o­n appointing 16 members of the Senate (upper house) of the Oliy Majlis (parliament) o­n 22 January. Below is the list of the senators.

Farmanov Alexander Kasymovich – chairman of board, director-general of Almalyk mining and smelting combine;

Sanaqulov Kuvandik – director-general of Navoi mining and smelting combine;

Tyan Valeriy Nikolayevich – director-general of “O`zbekiston Havo Yo`llari” National Air Company;

Tursunbayev Yulchiboy Egrashevich – judge of the Constitutional Court of Uzbekistan;

Muhamedov Gafurjan Israilovich – rector of the National University of Uzbekistan;

Rtveladze Edvard Vasilyevich – head of department of the Arts Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan;

Akbarova Farida Sharahimovna – Vice Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, chairman of the Women’s Committee;

Ahmedov Anvar Akmalovich – chairman of the “Mahalla” Fund;

Salikhov Shavkat Ismailovich – president of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan;

Usmanov Mirabror Zufarovich – member of the Senate working o­n a permanent basis;

Bakibayev Erkin Jurayevich – chairman of the central council of the veterans support fund “Nuroniy”;

Safayev Sadik Salikhovich – chairman of the foreign policy issues committee of the Senate;

Rahmonkulov Mir-Akbar Hoji-Akbarovich – First Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan;

Artikova Svetlana Baymirzayevna – head of legal information department of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan;

Mirzaaliyev Iqboljon Mirzakarimovich (Iqbol Mirzo) – deputy chairman for work with youth of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan;

Abdullayev Ihtiyor Bahtiyorovich – State Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution o­n the regular call up to the Armed Forces and transfer to the reserve of the servicemen who have served the established terms of military service.

According to the resolution, citizens of Uzbekistan of the call-up age will be called up to the statutory service in February-March 2010.

Those who are fit for service but are not called up this time, will be included in the mobilization call up reserve.

The citizens who have served the established terms of military service will be transferred to the reserve in March-April.