President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov
visited Ferghana region 11 October to evaluate the course of
socio-economic reforms, innovative and beautification works undertaken
in this part of the country.
With its natural riches, modern industrial and
communications capacities, socio-economic infrastructure, and copious
labor resources, Ferghana region wields exceptional role in the overall
development of our homeland. The province’s remarkable capacities have
been adroitly cashed in for the good of the nation during independence
years.
The hard-working, hospitable and cordial Ferghanians have
been making a meaningful input into such a gracious enterprise as
consolidation of our independence and socio-economic advancement.
Far-reaching constructive and beautification works have been steadfast
in this region like elsewhere across the nation. The appearance of
towns and villages has been transforming, modern enterprises are being
built, wide and even roads been laid, new education and healthcare
institutions erected, as have sports facilities and public parks.

Gross regional product in the first half of this year grew
by 105.8%, along with steady expansion of industrial manufacture and
consumer goods production.
The head of state began his trip to the region with a
stopover in Oltiariq district, at a specialized enterprise for
loner-term and quality storage of agricultural goods. Our blessed land
is renowned for nature’s generous endowment – fruits and vegetables.
The cardinal reforms undertaken in agriculture and the favorable
conditions for exporting the agricultural products have been
encouraging for farmers to boost their incomes. Set up in 2010, this
venture boasts refrigerators to store two tons of agricultural goods.
Owing to cutting-edge Italian technologies, these
refrigerators maintain temperatures stable to allow for prolonged
storage of fruits and vegetables without affecting the quality. The
enterprise is critical in receiving and export of goods produced by
farmers of the district.
During the tour of this facility, Uzbekistan’s leader
stressed the need for an innovative approach to further expansion of
localization in reprocessing the harvested yield. After all,
reprocessing and exporting such goods will facilitate elevation of our
farmers’ income several times over, creation of new jobs, growth in the
incomes of local population, rise in the currency inflow.
Thus, of particular importance are the new ventures
equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to reprocess fruits and
vegetables, produce goods with added value.

President Islam Karimov traveled to Fayz farmer entity in
Uchkuprik district and conversed with advanced farmers. The head of
state noted in particular that farmers have come to be seen as fulcrums
of not only the economic and social life of the country, but also in
the political realm.
The considerable effects of the expanding farmer movement
in Uzbekistan are brightly reflected in the new accomplishments made in
the agrarian sector. Some seven thousand farmer entities in Ferghana
region produce fruits, vegetables and melons, livestock goods along
with cotton and grain cultivation. Their endeavors have been
significant in furthering the industrial production in rural areas and
creating new jobs.
The Ferghana cotton cultivators’ endeavors are directed
currently at timely harvesting this year’s crop. Fayz farmer entity led
by Vohidjon Melikuziev has achieved high indicators in grain and
cotton growing. The farm members have cultivated Sulton sort of cotton
on the 31 hectares of land and yielded 135 tons of harvest, beating the
contract obligation. The incomes have allowed for increases in
salaries, their material support, and assistance to low-income
families.
President of Uzbekistan suggested that farmers need not
confine themselves to cultivation and grain and cotton, but try to
reprocess the agricultural goods.
During the conversation, Islam Karimov expounded on issues
related to creating and seeding new species of cotton of early ripening
variety and affording quality fiber, ones that would meet the
soil-climatic conditions of the region. The head of state enquired into
the opinion of farmers about the cardinal transformation in the looks
of villages complying with requirements of modern architecture, about
the wide-ranging housing construction for rural residents built on
model designs.
It was stated in particular that owing to strides made on
this front, the people’s worldview has been changing with growing
inspiration for comfortable life.
Ferghana is a major industrial region of the country. A
large number of modern industrial enterprises have been functioning
efficiently in this province. They are famed also beyond the borders of
Uzbekistan with their economic capacities, quality produce, highly
proficient specialists and are critical in the economic development of
not merely the region, but also Uzbekistan as a whole.
President Islam Karimov traveled then to Kokand to
familiarize with the work of Indorama Kokand Textile, an
Uzbek-Singaporean joint venture.
As a result of this project worth more than USD 43 million,
the quality combing compact yarn meeting international standards is
produced here from Uzbek fiber. Outfitted with latest Swiss and
Japanese technologies and equipment, the enterprise reprocesses
9,000-10,000 tons of cotton a year and produces 7,000 tons of
high-quality yarn. The world-market demand for this produce has been
growing, facilitating exports to Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, Turkey,
Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Bangladesh.
The foreign investors said during the talk at the mill that
the Uzbek cotton is celebrated around the globe with its high quality,
micro-neur indicators, and whiteness and enjoys considerable demand.
They underscored the mounting interest by international business
circles in investing into Uzbek economy and establishing joint business,
owing to the encouraging investment climate created in our country.
The foreign partners are said to have admired the notable
human resources of Uzbekistan, especially the Uzbek youth commanding
comprehensive knowledge and skills, their abilities to swiftly and
perfectly grasp any high-tech production technologies. The larger part
of the 300 people working at this factory is made up by young people.
Islam Karimov inquired into the labor conditions and opportunities for younger generation at the venture.
The head of Uzbekistan familiarized with wide-ranging creative and constructive efforts embarked on in Kokand.
The town has been attaining an absolutely novel appearance
thanks to the immense imaginative work carried out under the leadership
of President Karimov. During his trip to Kokand in 2009, our leader
gave recommendations to transform and perfect the make-up of the city
cashing in the achievements of contemporary architecture and traditions
of national architecture. Resolutions by President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan on action plan to radically improve Kokand’s architectural
appearance and infrastructure, on additional measures to industrial
advancement of the city, on its landscaping have served as vital guide
for action on this front.
As an outcome of relevant efforts, modern buildings
downtown, on Urda square in particular, have replaced the old ones.
Islam Karimov gave a high appreciation of the extensive
creative work carried out on Urda square and said that this site has
turned into a magnificent center for culture and rest for locals and
guests. Uzbekistan’s leader offered recommendations on perpetuating the
historical monuments testifying to the rich legacy of Kokand, on
planting trees and flowers in due consideration of climatic
circumstances of the city.
President Islam Karimov traveled also along Istiqlol
Street, reviewed the perceptive works undertaken in Jome memorial
complex, spoke with local residents.
“All such major projects are directed at reaching a single goal, that
is, boosting the economy of our country, in Kokand in particular,
fostering the wellbeing of our people,” Islam Karimov said.
“We are all glad that the people of Ferghana region, including
Kokand, live with such gracious dreams and aspirations, with a firm
confidence in the bright future. The steadfast continuation of noble
deeds started by us is our constant task.”
Only a sound people, a healthy generation is capable of
building a great nation. The educational and enlightenment
institutions, sports palaces, music schools, youth centers erected on
President’s initiative serve to nurture a comprehensively advanced
posterity.
These issues came to forefront again during Islam Karimov’s
visit to Children’s Sports Complex in constructed in Kokand and his
conversation with youths.
This marvelous sports palace built for funds earmarked by
Children’s Sports Development Foundation under the Ministry of Public
Education, boasts all conditions for twelve types of sports.
The head of state suggested that such modern sports
complexes testify to the broad opportunities opening up for our growing
generation to be raised physically sound and robust, as individuals
second to no one in anything. These efforts aim to support and encourage
their splendid aspirations.
Later that day, President of the Republic met with
leadership and activists of Ferghana region. The comprehensive
development of the province, refinement of infrastructure, including
transport and communications systems in the cities of Ferghana and
Kokand, priority tasks in these directions have been discussed during
the meeting.
UzA