With great interest the live broadcast of the Address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev Oliy Majlis not only as a leader, but also as a citizen of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The announcement of this year in Uzbekistan as the Year of the development of science, education and the digital economy indicates that the head of state very well understands modern realities and realizes the importance of developing these areas to ensure the country’s competitiveness and its prosperity in the future.

The president focused on several important topics.

Firstly, the state in today’s competitive international environment should improve the living conditions of the population, especially young people.

Secondly, with regard to the economy, the figures cited by the President are very impressive. In particular, direct investments in 2019 reached $ 4.2 billion, which is 1.5 times more than in 2018. The share of investments amounted to 37 percent of the country’s GDP.

In particular, in anticipation of the new year, Navoiazot JSC launched the complex for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), caustic soda and methanol worth $ 500.1 million. The new enterprise will produce 100 thousand tons of PVC, 75 thousand tons of caustic soda, 300 thousand tons of methanol per year. These products are in demand in the automotive industry, textile, metallurgical, chemical and oil and gas industries, the electrical industry and the building materials industry. To date, these goods have been imported for foreign currency. It was especially difficult for small businesses.

The complex, where 900 new jobs have been created, will provide domestic enterprises with the necessary raw materials. In addition, an annual export of $ 40 million is planned.

The Message spoke about the need to attract foreign investment, knowledge, innovative technologies, which will contribute to the creation of new jobs.

Want to note the constant attention of the head of the country to the development of basic industries, especially chemical.

The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to further reform and increase the attractiveness of the chemical industry”, in particular, determined that the share of the state and JSC “Uzkimyosanoat” in the authorized capital of business entities of the industry will be sold to foreign companies and will be privatized.

The first steps have already been taken – 70.54 percent of state shares and 25 percent of shares of Uzkimyosanoat JSC in the authorized capital of Kukon Superphosphate Plant JSC were sold to Indorama (Singapore) at a redemption value of $ 4.3 million with the adoption of investment and social obligations to increase production capacity, release new types of products, and work began on the reconstruction of the enterprise.

Having received a full stake in the enterprise, a foreign company begins to reduce non-production costs (kindergartens, cultural centers, sports facilities, medical units, children’s health camps, etc.), by optimizing production processes it reduces jobs. What should be the position of the union in this case, what should the union leader do?

It is necessary to take an active part in the conclusion of the contract, to defend the positions of workers, to preserve all objects of social and cultural life, to force foreign partners to recognize the trade union – the representative body of workers, etc.

The President noted tourism as another priority. Now only five percent of historical and cultural monuments are included in tours, although there are much more in the country.

The head of the country urged to reconstruct existing and build new sports facilities to create the necessary conditions for playing sports and improving the younger generation.

At the beginning of the speech, the head of state noted that now society itself will initiate all reforms in the country. Communication with the people goes to a new level. It is rightly noted that the initiator of any reforms is the people.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev attaches great importance to the well-being of the people and the country. I would note the President’s initiative in training and retraining qualified personnel, reforming the public administration system, in particular, the activities of local authorities, as well as social control, establishing closer interaction between the state and society, creating a Public Chamber, which will entail great tasks on the country’s trade unions, since they have always been a “bridge” between the government and the people.

The view was expressed that the course aimed at rapprochement with neighboring countries would continue. This requires us, as representatives of the country’s labor collectives, to intensify our work to develop relations with sectoral trade unions of neighboring countries.

It is gratifying that in the coming years, emphasis will be placed on improving youth policy. The attention paid by the President to women and girls, whose support is now one of the priorities of the state policy of the country, is encouraging. The Message notes that this year 100 billion soums of soft loans for women will be allocated, and the share of state grants for them will double.

Now the indicators in terms of the ratio of boys and girls in the higher education system are 70 to 30 percent, respectively. These numbers should change radically.

Now more than ever it is important to promote young entrepreneurs, scientists, teachers, artists in all their endeavors. Everything is done for a stable and prosperous future of Uzbekistan.

I am firmly convinced that everyone has found something new for himself in the President’s Address, thought about what he can do to improve the situation in the country. Today, as never before, there are many opportunities for the implementation of any noble idea and initiative.

Mavzhuda Khalilova

Chairman of the Republican Council of the Trade Union of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry Workers of Uzbekistan