Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 12 / Trend D. Azizov /
The priorities of the post-crisis development of Uzbekistan are creating of a controlled model of macroeconomic development, ensuring a balance of macroeconomic proportions, and optimal ratio of domestic and external demand, preservation of stable economic growth at least seven percent annually.
First deputy Prime Minister, Uzbek Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov spoke about it in the international scientific-practical conference "Effectiveness of anti-crisis programs and priorities of the post-crisis development."
The government thinks the creation of conditions for the continuous upgrading of technical and technological re-equipment of production is one of the main priorities to achieve the objectives, Azimov said.
He recalled that it is planned to allocate $55.4 billion to implement over 300 projects within the program of modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of basic industries for 2009 - 2014.
"We have focused on the development of industries with high added value - the automotive, oil and gas chemical, electrical, chemical industry and industry of building materials", Deputy Prime Minister said.
He said that about $15.3 billion will be allocated to implement major investment projects in oil and gas sector in 2009 - 2014, $12.1 billion in oil and gas chemical industry, $7.5 billion - in the transport industry, $5.8 billion - in energy, $5.6 billion - in the chemical industry, $4.4 billion - mining and metallurgical industry, $1,9 billion - textile industry, $1,4 billion - mechanical engineering, $0,8 billion - building materials industry, $0,6 billion - in other industries.
The development of labor-intensive industries - textiles, footwear, food, providing employment of the population, and further geographical and product diversification of export remain in the view of the government.
The priority is also healthy functioning of the banking and financial system that supports the growth of investment.
In coming years, it is scheduled to bring the share of total bank capital to not less than 10 percent of GDP. It is planned to increase it by 20 percent - up to 3.6 trillion soums, the growth of long-term deposits in banks - not less than 30 percent in 2010.
Active support of small businesses, including loans and microcredit to this sector of the economy equivalent to $1.8 billion in 2010, consistent reducing of tax burden, creating of conditions for development of services, will bring the share of small business in GDP to 52.5 percent in the current year compared to 48.2 percent in 2008.
It was reported, according to official statistics, Uzbekistan's GDP in 2009 increased by 8.1 percent compared to 2008, inflation amounted to 7.4 percent, industrial production increased by 9 percent, agricultural products - by 5,7 percent, total investment in the economy - by 24.8 percent.
In 2010, Uzbekistan plans to ensure GDP growth at 8.3 percent compared to 2009, industrial production - by 8,3 percent, agricultural production by 5 percent. Inflation will be kept at the level of 7-9 percent.