From economic growth to national development

Recently, one of the most important and cherished dates in our country’s history – the 35th anniversary of the independence of our Homeland – was widely celebrated in New Tashkent under the central theme, “Together as One Homeland and One People, We Build a New Life and a New Future!” The celebrations once again vividly demonstrated our people’s deep respect for independence, their sense of responsibility for the country’s destiny, and their firm confidence in the future.

The Head of State’s speech at the ceremony was particularly significant, as it not only reviewed the country’s 35-year path of development since independence but also outlined the key directions of Uzbekistan’s development for the coming decade. It set clear goals and priorities to advance New Uzbekistan, uphold human dignity, and improve people’s well-being.

Indeed, independence first and foremost restored our dignity and honor, our sacred religion, our mother tongue, and national values that had been fading from memory. Thanks to independence, we rediscovered our identity and demonstrated to the world that we are worthy descendants of our revered ancestors. This historic process continues to deepen our people’s awareness of their national identity and strengthen respect for their historical memory and spiritual roots.

Thanks to the political will demonstrated in recent years, the principle of “For Human Dignity” has been placed at the heart of state policy. First of all, long-standing problems that had caused hardship for people for years – including so-called “cotton slavery”, forced and child labor, restrictions on currency conversion, and the “propiska” residence registration system – were eliminated. Most importantly, fear and anxiety in citizens’ hearts have been replaced by confidence and a sense of security.

As a result of the far-reaching reforms pursued by the President, Uzbekistan has opened up more broadly to the world. First and foremost, long-standing border issues were resolved, while friendship, good-neighborly relations, and mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries reached a new level. Fundamental changes were also introduced in foreign exchange, tax, customs, and investment policies. As a result, Uzbekistan improved its position in the Index of Economic Freedom by 80 places and joined the group of countries classified as “moderately free” economies.

Over the past decade, large-scale reforms have significantly increased Uzbekistan’s investment attractiveness. Whereas the economy previously attracted only $2-3 billion in foreign investment annually, it now attracts $40-50 billion. Along with investment, advanced technologies, modern expertise, and new economic opportunities are entering the country. These are not merely statistics. They translate into new enterprises, new technologies, new jobs, and new economic opportunities.

Steady growth in gross domestic product is another important result of the reforms carried out over the past decade. Three years ago, a target was set to increase GDP to $160 billion by 2030. Today, despite difficult global economic conditions and disruptions in international logistics, this milestone is expected to be exceeded as early as this year. This clearly shows that the country’s economy is maintaining a stable growth trajectory and advancing to a new stage of development.

Transitioning our economy to a new model based on advanced technologies and higher labor productivity will help increase production efficiency, create higher value-added products, and strengthen competitiveness. Most importantly, it will create new opportunities to expand modern, highly skilled employment, increase household incomes, and enable Uzbekistan to secure a stronger position in the global economy.

In line with these objectives, plans to attract $450 billion in foreign investment over the next decade, increase gross domestic product to $300 billion by 2030 while maintaining high economic growth rates, and create 2 million high-income jobs in industry are expected to strengthen the country’s economic potential. Most importantly, these measures will expand modern production capacity, increase output of higher value-added products, create new jobs, and improve the population’s well-being.

To fully unlock the potential of young people, developing startups, venture capital, and artificial intelligence will support innovative ideas, bring new business projects to life, and create modern jobs. Establishing an integrated ecosystem in which small businesses can grow into medium-sized enterprises, and medium-sized enterprises into large companies and corporations, will provide a solid foundation for strengthening competitiveness, expanding the private sector’s potential, and enabling national companies to enter international markets.

One of the most important aspects of the President’s speech was the designation of the coming decade as a “period of national advancement”. Seven national programs aimed at enhancing human dignity, improving people’s well-being, and giving new momentum to the country’s development are a practical expression of these ambitious goals. These programs are not separate initiatives, but rather an integrated development framework in which each complements the others and contributes to a common objective. Each of them serves the overarching goals of advancing people’s interests, ensuring sustainable development, and shaping the future of New Uzbekistan.

For UzLiDeP, priorities such as economic freedom, support for entrepreneurship, expanding opportunities for the private sector, and improving people’s well-being are especially important. From this perspective, the targets of building a $300 billion economy, attracting $450 billion in investment, creating 2 million high-income jobs, and raising GDP per capita to more than $10,000 are fully aligned with our party’s vision of economic development, entrepreneurship, and human well-being.

Most importantly, these goals are not merely figures but concrete benchmarks focused on people’s interests and a better quality of life. Behind each goal stand new enterprises, new jobs, broader opportunities for entrepreneurs, stable family incomes, and the prospect of a decent standard of living. After all, the true impact of economic development is reflected first and foremost in people’s lives, well-being, and confidence in the future.

The President’s speech at the ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of our independence was of major programmatic significance, as it not only provided a comprehensive assessment of the country’s development path but also outlined the future direction of New Uzbekistan. At the same time, it carries considerable political and moral significance as a framework that can unite our people around new goals, consolidate today’s achievements, and inspire confidence in the future.

The past thirty-five years have, in the fullest sense, been a period of awakening, revival, and advancement for our free Homeland. Today, New Uzbekistan faces even more ambitious goals and responsibilities. The priorities set, the reforms underway, and the high objectives being pursued are all aimed, first and foremost, at serving people’s interests and ensuring their well-being. After all, the true measure of any development is human dignity, a decent standard of living, and strong confidence in the future. These noble goals will lead New Uzbekistan toward an even stronger and more prosperous future.

Aktam KHAITOV,

Leader of the UzLiDeP Faction

in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis