Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 7
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
It is necessary to reduce the state involvement level in the economy of Uzbekistan, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov said at a solemn meeting devoted to the 22nd anniversary of the country's constitution.
"We must reconsider and reduce the state involvement level in the economy up to a strategic and economically reasonable level," the president said. "We must reject all forms of the administrative-command system. We must clearly divide the functions among the state bodies, business and the private sector. We must also pass to the exchange trade system."
The president said that the most important problem is to remove all obstacles and limitations, ensure full freedom in the development of private property and private entrepreneurship. The country's future, the growth of the level and quality of life depends on the solution of this problem.
President Karimov recalled that during the years of independence, more than 31,000 enterprises with state property in various sectors of the economy passed to the private owners and shareholders. Many spheres, such as agriculture, trade, all kinds of services almost completely were transferred to the private property sphere. The state ownership share reduced to a minimum in the production of consumer goods.
The private sector share in the field of ICT and services, mobile networks, construction is overwhelming.
The growth and productivity in these spheres and services are higher than in others.
Nevertheless, the president believes that it is time to fully analyze the availability and effectiveness of the state presence in the economy. It is necessary to determine the further measures to significantly increase the presence of the private sector in the economy.
"Along with the domestic investors, foreign investors become the shareholders," the president said. "The practical experience shows that this is the most acceptable form of ownership in Uzbekistan."
More than 4,000 enterprises established with foreign capital from more than 90 countries successfully operate in the country. In Uzbekistan, foreign investors not only invest and distribute profit, but use, first of all, advanced technologies and production management in a joint venture.
The critical evaluation of the effectiveness of corporate or joint associations' activity should be carefully considered.
"It seems appropriate to sell the state share in these companies to the private sector, as well as at a zero price in accordance with new investors' obligations to restore and establish new modern production facilities on their basis," President Karimov said.