TASHKENT (TCA) — At a government meeting on the issues of further development of small business and entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan held earlier this week, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that heads of administrations of the regions, districts, cities and their first deputies should work in a completely new way and devote 70 percent of their time to development of entrepreneurship, the Jahon information agency reported.
It was said at the meeting that small business and private entrepreneurship is an important factor in development of the economy, increasing employment and incomes of the population. Over the last two and a half years, state registration of business activities, obtaining permits and many other procedures were simplified. The institute of the Commissioner for the protection of the rights and interests of business entities (Business Ombudsman) has been introduced.
Reception offices of the Prime Minister have been established in all regions of the country for considering appeals from entrepreneurs. The State Fund for Supporting Entrepreneurship Development has been created under the Cabinet of Ministers, which has been allocated 200 billion soums and 50 million dollars. Lending to entrepreneurs from commercial banks has also expanded.
These measures are yielding results. Small business produces almost 60 percent of Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product, a third of industrial output, 98 percent of agricultural products, as well as provides half of the investment. In many regions, small business accounts for between 70 percent and 90 percent of exports.
The president ordered to introduce a new system in which the work of khokims (state administration heads) of all levels and their first deputies will be assessed based on the number of new or resumed activities of small enterprises, as well as jobs created there.
The need was noted for improving banking services for business entities and increasing the efficiency of lending.
At present, appeals of entrepreneurs for getting a loan are considered in 3 stages – at district, regional, and national levels. Loans are not issued to entrepreneurs without the consent of the central office of a bank. As a result, this process sometimes lasts for months.
The president said it is necessary to reduce the process of considering appeals for loans to one or two levels, as well as to increase the number of bank branches at places.
