By R.Ravichandran
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (NNN-Bernama) — Uzbekistan, which celebrates its 30th anniversary of independence on Sept 1, can look back proudly as the country has made historical efforts to build a new state and society despite the various political and economic challenges for the past three decades.
The Central Asian country of some 34 million people under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has risen to the challenges, achieving key milestones, thanks to a resolute will and enormous potential of its courageous people in their pursuit for greater heights in economic and social development, political reforms and human rights, among others.
Uzbekistan, which is now in transition after two decades of economic and political isolation, is presently in reform mode under Mirziyoyev for the past five years, with large-scale democratic transformations taking place on all fronts – developing the state and society, judicial and legal system, economy and social sector, fighting corruption, security, foreign policy, and inter-ethnic harmony and religious tolerance.
Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ravshan Usmanov, in recalling past achievement and explaining current achievements, said that in a historically short period of time after independence, Uzbekistan’s main law, the Constitution, was drafted and adopted in December 1992 to replace the Soviet-era constitution that was in place since 1978.
“Uzbekistan, as a sovereign state, has taken a worthy place in the world community of nations. The foundations of modern statehood have been laid and the constitutional system of Uzbekistan has been established. Three independent branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial – were created and functioning in harmony,” he said.
Usmanov said this in an interview with Bernama in conjunction with Uzbekistan’s 30th independence anniversary. Uzbekistan declared its independence on August 31,1991, but Sept 1 is proclaimed as National Independence Day.
Usmanov explained that since independence, Uzbekistan’s ancient history, rich cultural heritage, national and religious values and its identity have been restored and all these progress ensured political and economic stability as well as social development of the country.
“Currently, another important process of revival is taking place in our country. Therefore, the words “New Uzbekistan” and “Third Renaissance” harmoniously resonate with our life and inspire our people to great goals,” he said, attributing this transformation to the ongoing reforms taken under the leadership of Mirziyoyev, who is in power since Sept 2016, elected as the leader of the country after the death of long-time leader Islam Karimov on Sept 2, 2016.
While admitting that the path of progress in social development had not been without some shortcomings, the ambassador said to address this, priorities have been put in place accordingly where the first priority task was social policy, followed by identification of growth points in economic development, and developing entrepreneurship, the agricultural sector, healthcare and education.
“Today, the most important areas of our economic strategy are a comprehensive increase in the well-being and living standards of people, which demands the creation of new jobs, sources of income, poverty reduction, and the development of our villages and cities,” the ambassador said.
On economic development, Usmanov cited the textile industry, a key sector, pointing out that enterprises will be able to compete with other leading countries only if they fully master all technological processes from cotton cultivation to its extensive processing, to the production of the final product, and dramatically increase exports and profits.
In the area of entrepreneurship, seen as key in strengthening the middle class of the country, Usmanov said the number of small businesses and private entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan has more than doubled in recent years, with more than 50 per cent of these enterprises established only in the last three years.
Touching on the agricultural sector, he pointed out that Uzbekistan has enormous potential, experience and traditions, but for a long time there have been no market approaches and financial incentives, sufficient funds and scientific innovations, leaving it an unattractive sector.
Elaborating on another priority area – healthcare – he said necessary funds are being allocated for vaccination, while special attention is given to the expansion of remote services in all medical institutions and the transition of clinics and hospitals to electronic office management, as well as the introduction of telemedicine.
On education, efforts are being taken on the in-depth study of Uzbekistan’s history and culture – where the Government and civil society are working together, for example, in organising the International Festivals of Maqom Art (the Uzbek national classical combination of music and song), Bakhshi Art (Bakhshi is a narrator of folk epic), and handicrafts in promoting Uzbekistan to the outside world.
With the aim of promoting religious and scientific-spiritual heritage of great thinkers and scholars who made immense contributions to the development of Islamic civilisation, the International Research Centres of Imam Bukhari in Samarkand and Imam Termiziy in Surkhandarya, as well as the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan in Tashkent and the Imam Maturidi International Research Centre, has been established.
Usmanov explained that the Centre for Islamic Civilisation, an initiative of the president being constructed in Tashkent, will play an important role for research and international promotion of the rich religious and spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people.
Touching on economic reforms, Usmanov said the economic system is being completely restructured with market mechanisms put in place despite difficulties, and among the important initiatives identified are the establishment of good neighbourly relations in Central Asia, opening more border checkpoints for economic activities, and liberalisation of the currency market.
In the public services system, the elimination of unnecessary red tape is being conducted. In tourism, visa-free regime for 90 countries and visa-free transit for nationals of 48 countries have been introduced. Steps are also being taken to strengthening human right protection and elimination of forced labour, including child labour – a major issue in Uzbekistan’s society.
Media is being given more space to play their roles, while on the issue of gender equality, the Republican Gender Commission has been established. Legal and institutional changes in the anti-corruption policy is being made, while in education, measures to increase admission quota to higher education institutions and opening of branches of national and foreign universities has been put in place.
Responding to a question on the people’s response to Mirziyoyev’s reforms, Usmanov said that today the citizens of Uzbekistan, more than anyone else, feel the rapid changes in the political, legal, and socio-economic spheres, and the reforms have a positive effect on the larger interests of all segments of the population.
“Today, the people have a growing belief in justice and truth. I can conclude that the Uzbek people feel optimistic about future of their country, largely supporting the ongoing reform agenda,” he said, adding that the policy has been “the government serves the people, not vice versa”.
On his message to the international community on this historic anniversary, the ambassador emphasised that the Uzbek government will stick to its policies to ensure the rights and freedoms of its citizens, while working for a freer and more prosperous life for its people and resolutely continue the eradication of corruption.
“Today’s Uzbekistan will no longer be the same as in the past. Along with this, we must not forget another truth: today’s Uzbekistan is not the Uzbekistan that we dream about. We still have a long and thorny way to go. There is no turning back in reform agenda. There is clear vision in the minds of people about new opportunities in the country. There is readiness of young generation to move forward, be creative and innovative as an integrated part of the world community,” Usmanov said.
— NNN-BERNAMA
