27/07/2020 - 12:40 4917

Akmalkhon ORTIKOV,

First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction

 

- There is a poor segment of the population in every country all around the world. The fact that a certain part of the population is poor and does not have sufficient income has long been a "closed topic" in Uzbekistan. This year, in his Address to the Oliy Majlis, the President openly raised this issue, and for the first time in our history, poverty reduction has been identified as a priority task. Preliminary estimates show that 12-15 percent of the population or 4-5 million people in the country live below the poverty line.

 With a particular focus on supporting job creation to increase incomes and reduce poverty, the Ministry of Economy and Industry was reorganized into the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction.

In order to provide aid to the most vulnerable segments of the population, solid and regional programs have been developed and the responsibilities of ministers, khokims and sector leaders have been defined. However, the pandemic is affecting negatively the job creation in many areas and the efforts on poverty reduction. To mitigate its influence, a nationwide Kindness and Support movement was launched. Within the framework of this movement, according to the decisions of local councils of people's deputies, more than 127 billion soums were allocated to about 321 thousand families in need of social protection, lonely people and the disabled, as well as temporarily unemployed families who have lost their sources of income.

           In May-June, working groups led by regional sector leaders took measures to create sources of income for about 233 thousand citizens from low-income families. The government has developed a "Temporary Procedure" for creating a source of income for families with unfavorable social and living conditions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. According to him, specific procedures and plans for targeted work with families included in the “book of generosity” and their withdrawal from poverty were outlined.

           In July-October this year, it is necessary to provide a source of income for about 257 thousand able-bodied families in need. Thus, the leaders of 4 sectors with organizations of the economic complex will take measures to ensure employment through family entrepreneurship, handicrafts, involvement in public works and a system of self-employment. With an investment complex through the employment in existing and new created enterprises. In the agrarian complex, with local enterprises by attracting profitable crops to planting on lands freed from grain crops. With construction companies, to ensure employment at facilities where construction and repair work is carried out at the expense of state budget, as well as during the construction of housing under the new procedure of mortgage mechanisms. Of course, there is a strict system of control over the implementation of these measures.

Work on poverty reduction was also discussed at a video conference on June 8 this year, chaired by our President. The head of state noted the need to employ representatives of at least 257 thousand low-income families and provide loans to 37 thousand households within the framework of family entrepreneurship programs.

           Respective action are taken against the leaders of the sectors with the lowest employment rates. In particular, the khokim of the Fergana region, the prosecutor of the Yakkabag region, the heads of the department of internal affairs of the Guzar and Chartak regions, the heads of the tax inspections of the Mubarek region and the city of Kokand were discharged from their posts. This, in turn, indicates that the leader needs to ensure the fulfillment of the assigned tasks, regardless of location and position.

           If the implementation of measures to reduce poverty is our daily work, then we also have the task of developing and implementing concept papers on poverty reduction with the participation of experts from international financial institutions, including UNDP, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. In particular, a strategy and concept of poverty reduction in Uzbekistan until 2030 is being developed. It provides for the use of foreign best practices (in particular China) in poverty reduction through the concept of poverty, definition criteria and assessment methods, minimum standards for social security, education, health, housing and development of entrepreneurship.

 

Information Service 

Ministry of economic development and poverty reduction