The head of state observed that wide-ranging creative efforts of historic significance have been underway in Surkhandarya region, like in other parts of Uzbekistan, during the independent development years.

The economic growth rates in Surkhandarya region have been at 8.7 percent within the last five years. The province has been able to secure a 124.5 percent growth in manufacturing and 123 percent in agricultural sector for the same period. Noteworthy has been the expansion of construction works and transport and communications – 2.9 times and twofold, respectively.

The President drew attention to the fact that the share of the vital sector – small business and private entrepreneurship – in the gross regional product has increased from 63.9 to 73.8 percent within the last five years – the highest indicator so far across Uzbekistan.

Much has been done in attracting investments into the region’s economy. 18 major projects totaling 70.6 billion soums were executed in the past five years. Critical in boosting the industrial potential of the province have been, for instance, the development of the much-promising Khonjiza deposit of complex ore, the construction of a US$12 million Shindong Spinning factory to reprocess raw cotton, the US$1.5 million Surkhon-Termez-Silk enterprise for complete processing of silk cocoons cultivated in the region, as well as other schemes.

Along with achievements made in the region, existing shortcomings have also been addressed at the session. In particular, the share of textiles in gross regional industrial output has declined from 50.7 to 43.8 percent. As little as 6.9 percent of cotton fiber produced in the province is reprocessed which is rather incongruous with contemporary trends.

Then the session participants discussed managerial issues. On the proposal of President Islam Karimov, Narmumin Chariev has been elected hokim (governor) of Surkhandarya, who had been the acting hokim of the region since December 2011.

Later that day, President Islam Karimov traveled to Surkhon Sarvari farm fields in Termez district to talk with farmers and enquire into the progress of current grain harvesting season.

President Karimov then visited a military unit of National Security Service Border Guard and had a conversation with officers and privates, inquired after their service, living conditions and families.