Uzbekistan (eBook)

This is a reference to the at hand book of Uzbek economist academic Kalandar Abdurakhmanov with the title: “Uzbekistan: past, present and future” dedicated to 25 years of independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan. I know the author in person as a profound researcher and delicate observer. The book clearly reflects delicacies of historical twists and turns, definition of vital problems and the ways of their solution.

As indicated in the statement of the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan “Preparation and celebration of 25 years of state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, obtaining independence by Uzbekistan and revival of national statehood, taking a respectable place along with sovereign and independent states of the world, realization of profoundly thought-out based on reforms Uzbek development model – all of this proves today that the chosen path was right.

Uzbekistan was one of the first countries in CIS to enter the phase of economical growth. In short period of time – up to 2001 – it has restored the pre-reform level of GDP production. In 2012 the GDP growth rate of the Republic has increased more than twice compared to the rates of 1989. Uzbekistan got into the first group of countries with fast growing economy.

“Prosperity rate” of 142 countries which is composed by analytical center The Legatum Institute since 2006 also serves as a proof of economical quality growth. In the latest report for 2015 Uzbekistan took 57-th place having risen by six points. These tell of cardinal quality changes in economics, entrepreneurship, administration, education, public health, security and individual liberty provision. Active work for provision of reliable protection of private property, small business and private entrepreneurship, removal of obstacles for their swift development was reflected in the significant international rating “Doing Business” of 189 countries published by the World Bank and International Financial Corporation. This rating is one of the most authoritative sources of information used for evaluation of business environment and investment climate. Only in 2015 Uzbekistan rose up to 16 points and took 87-th place in the rating. The World Bank also notes that Uzbekistan is among the first group of ten countries for achieving the best results in business environment improvement.

Main attention the government of the country pays to a transport system development that has become a key factor of external economic intercourse and integration in global economics. Realization in corporation with Chinese partners of electrified railway Angren-Pap building project through the unique tunnel Kamchik has completed formation of integrated national railway transport system. This trunk line will further serve as a significant part of a new international transit railway corridor China-Central Asia-Europe.

In May of this year in corporation with partners from South Korea construction of Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex was completed. The project is accepted as one of the greatest in the world. Ustyurt Gas Chemical Complex which allowed to get from export of raw resources to production and export of products with high added value became the first large scale project on the CIS territory, realized on the basis of longterm financing. Even in 2012 authoritative international publishing "Project Finance International" that belongs to international informational agency "Reuter Thompson" acknowledged the project as a deal of the year in the world’s oil and gas-chemical sector. Realization of such projects became possible due to an “Uzbek model” implementation.

As achievements acknowledgement also serves a fact that Uzbekistan became one of the 14 countries in the world obtaining prizes from Food and Agriculture organization of UN (FAO) for achievements in the sphere of food security provision. At the meantime, the Republic of Uzbekistan under the leadership of the president Islam Karimov works on realization of new UN’s goals for steady development which will guide the development of world’s community up till 2030.

Commonly known that high crime rate may suppress social unity and negatively affect on economical development. “Low and order index” research results conducted in 2015 by Gallup Institute (USA) revealed that Uzbekistan was ranked second among 141 countries gave way only to Singapore. High rank in this rating confirms the high individual security and confidence of people in peaceful and stable life in the Republic.

During the years of independence Uzbekistan achieved big success in diversification and modernization of economy and in attraction of international business community to enlargement of real market potential. The assigned goal – to achieve doubling of GDP up to 2030 by cardinal structural reforms in economics will allow the Republic to become industrially developed country with above average income per capita.

In a comparatively short historical period small business subjects and private entrepreneurship as an integral part of national economy became lead force in solution of social and economical issues, development of all domains and service industries, provision of prosperous life for people. In support of that serves the following: based on the results of 2015 the share of this sector in GDP compared to 2000 rose from 31% up to 56,5%, share in production volume of industrial products – from 12,9% up to 38,9%, in export – from 10,2% up to 26,9%, in population employment ratio – from 49,7% up to 77,9%.

Above indicated rates and international experts opinions shows that during 25 years of independence cardinal changes occurred in Uzbekistan. Now it is impossible to imagine kilometer-long queues for vital products in shops and stores or prohibition of private entrepreneurship as was not so long ago. Behind the successes achieved stands everyday labor of millions of Uzbekistan citizens who do not dwell on achieved but realize that to achieve more ambitious goals they have to do a deal more.

From my point of view the thoughts regarding international cooperation in modern development of Uzbekistan described in a book are of great interest. This is one of the fundamental issues of progressive development of democratic state today.

Being a member of ex Soviet Union Uzbekistan didn’t have any external intercourse, let alone external economic intercourse. Semi colonial Republic that have been trapped in difficult condition under totalitarian regime was characterized as a one-side developed economy in which cotton monopoly dominated and it was determined only for raw materials supply. People were growing cotton with their own hands but haven’t any idea of its real cost as they were cut off from international community.

High financial potential of Uzbekistan was acknowledged in 1992 when our country was accepted in World Banks membership. “Membership of the Republic of Uzbekistan in International Financial Fund, International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, International Financial Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency” law serves as the base of it. Its representative office was opened in Tashkent city. Currently a close cooperation is established with this institution acting in a global scale in the spheres of public health, education, modernization and reconstruction of energetic system, restoration and repair of irrigating drain network, development of communal household infrastructure. This gives an opportunity of rapid integration of our country to international financial-economic market, gives opportunity for global community to get acquainted with efficiency of “Uzbek model” of development.

The same positive results may be seen on the example of intercourse with European Union. Cooperation with this structure became the direction of priority of external politics since first years of independence. Economical intercourse with continent states develops according to the Agreement of Partnership and Cooperation between Republic of Uzbekistan and European Communities. In particular in the period from 1992 to 2015 projects for the total amount of 721,4 million of euro were realized. And till 2020 according to financial and technical aid in order to develop rural area European Union plans to implement several initiatives in provisions processing, water supply and irrigation system, farm household and energetic.

Germany, one of the greatest members of European Community – is the main trade and economic partner of Uzbekistan in Europe. Total value of financial and technical cooperation between two countries is more than 300 millions of euro.

A great interest in studying of German culture and language noted in Uzbekistan. German language is the second most popular language studied in the Republic. In the sphere of higher education partner intercourse are established with more than 20 institutes of higher education of Germany. Students and specialist exchange is also practiced.

Strengthening of social intercourse by the use of national diplomacy along with political, diplomatic and economical contacts takes significant place in formation of friendly relationships of Uzbekistan. Delegations exchange became regular. German organizations in the sphere of culture and education such as German Service of Academic Exchanges, Goethe Institute of Tashkent, Central Administration of Abroad Schools, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Association of National Universities of Germany International Cooperation Institute currently act in Uzbekistan.

In connection with education system reform conducted in...