“12 trillion soums will be allocated to family entrepreneurship in 2023” – President

On January 25, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a videoconference meeting on the issues of reducing poverty, ensuring employment and supporting small businesses.

It was noted at the meeting that in 2022, the poverty rate was reduced from 17% to 14%, 1 million people were trained in professions, helped to start work, and lifted out of poverty.

During this period, about 200,000 business entities were established, the activities of 10,000 enterprises were expanded, and the capacity of 11,000 enterprises was restored.

It is noted that there are also delays in some areas. For example, in Navoi, Surkhandarya and Fergana regions, the indicator of poverty reduction is relatively falling behind. In a number of districts and cities, the employment program is not defined at the level of opportunities.

Therefore, the current year’s plans for ensuring employment and supporting small businesses were discussed at the meeting.

“The main factor of reducing poverty is to provide the population with gainful employment. Therefore, as part of the administrative reforms, the 5 departments responsible for poverty reduction were integrated into a single system. The new ministry was given all organizational and financial opportunities. Now, the management of labor resources and unemployment, as well as employment assistance and local development of entrepreneurship will be under one ministry,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Officials were tasked with carefully developing and approving the 2023 employment program at the regional level.

The head of state pointed out the directions that need to be paid attention to.

First of all, it was noted that the scope of financial support will be expanded in order to give further impetus to family entrepreneurship. In 2022, about 10 trillion soums of preferential loans were allocated for this purpose. This year, 12 trillion soums will be allocated for the family business program. The maximum amount of such loans will also be increased.