Perizat RISBEK KIZI
From January 1, 2022, a number of changes in legislation and other innovations came into force in Uzbekistan, including the development of social infrastructure, measures to improve the study of foreign languages, measures to create green cover and green energy, encourage tourism and much more. Below is an overview of major recent legislative changes and other developments in Uzbekistan.
Development of social infrastructure
By a presidential decree dated January 22, Uzbekistan will allocate 76 trillion 881 billion soums (or more than $7 billion at the current exchange rate of the Central Bank) for the development of social and industrial infrastructure until 2024. According to the program, in 2022-2024, it is planned to launch a number of social and industrial facilities, including:
- higher educational institutions with 54230 educational and 8358 beds;
- general education, creative and specialized schools with 259,101 seats and 248 sports halls;
- preschool educational institutions for 88,310 places;
- medical facilities with 24213 beds.
15 billion soums for learning foreign languages
A resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated January 19, 2022 “On additional measures to improve the study of foreign languages” was adopted.
The resolution provides for the allocation of one-time financial assistance in the amount of 15 billion soums ($13.9 million) from the Fund for Support of Reforms in the Sphere of Public Education. The funds will be spent on the development and implementation of information and communication technologies, software projects in promoting the study of foreign languages, in particular the creation of videos, games, films and other educational content for the formation of basic language skills.
Forests on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea
A resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On additional measures to create a “green cover” – protective forests on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea and the Aral Sea region” was adopted. The document was developed in accordance with the concept of development of the forestry system of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030.
The followings have been approved:
- areas of protective forests being created to cover the bottom of the Aral Sea and the territory of the Aral Sea region in 2022-2026;
- volumes of preparation of seeds of desert plants for creation of protective forests.
The State Committee for Forestry will constantly monitor the timely creation of green cover. Taking into account the soil composition of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea, plants adapted to desert and saline soils, including tamarix and atriplex, will be planted.
The state will support the tourism sector
On January 15, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev adopted a Decree “On creating additional conditions for the further development of tourism, culture, cultural heritage and sports.”
According to the Decree, until 1 January 2023, part of the costs of tourism entities and air carriers for charter flights from abroad to Uzbekistan will be covered from the State budget in the amount of US$10 for each foreign tourist (at least 5 nights), and in the winter period (from 20 November to 20 February) – in the amount of US$25.
Grant funds allocated to initiators:
- are directed to the creation of a modern website that accepts online payments, participation in tourism exhibitions and fairs in foreign countries;
- are provided with the condition of organizing tours for at least 200 foreign tourists from foreign countries to the Republic of Uzbekistan for three years.
Construction of 4 solar power plants
The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed resolutions on the construction of 4 solar photovoltaic stations with a total capacity of about 1,100 MW. According to the resolutions, by the end of 2023, 4 photovoltaic stations will be built and put into operation in Uzbekistan in four regions of the republic.
By October 2023, the investor company Masdar (UAE) will put into operation two solar power plants with a capacity of 220 MW: one in the Gallyaaral district of the Jizzakh region and the second in the Kattakurgan district of the Samarkand region. By December 2023, a solar power plant with a capacity of 456.6 MW will be built in the Sherabad district of the Surkhandarya region. Phanes Energy Holding III B.V., a company from the Netherlands, which intends to launch a photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 200 MW in the Nurata district of the Navoi region by November 2023, will be involved in the fourth SPP project.
All the above changes and innovations tell us that for Uzbekistan, bringing the country’s development to a new, higher level and the implementation of new reforms for this purpose has become a strategic goal to build a New Uzbekistan.