In Karakalpakstan, the number of enterprises with foreign investments has increased 3 times in recent years

Today, large-scale work is being carried out in Uzbekistan and reforms are being implemented to ensure that people are satisfied with their lives. Their problems are being solved, long-term programs have been developed aimed at ensuring the socio-economic well-being of our hardworking people, who work selflessly, paving the way for a bright future with good deeds. One of the most important results that we have achieved is a change in the consciousness and thinking, the outlook of compatriots. People do not expect the effect of reforms tomorrow, they see and feel these changes today. 

It has been 32 years since the country embarked on the path of independent development. Our multinational people, living in peace and harmony, are becoming more and more aware of the essence and value of the opportunities created by sovereignty. The leitmotif of reforms in Uzbekistan is in the name of human honor and dignity. 
Initiatives and large-scale programs implemented in stages in the country serve to protect the rights and freedoms of every compatriot.
Currently, about two million people live in Karakalpakstan. The multinational population lives in 452 gatherings of citizens of mahallas, villages. 
In recent years, the economy of the republic has been steadily developing, and the living conditions of the population are improving, we can say, every day. In particular, according to the results of the first half of 2023, the volume of gross regional product in Karakalpakstan reached 13.6 trillion soums, industrial production - 7.9 trillion, construction work - 2.8 trillion, agricultural production - 4.4 trillion, services - 5.8 trillion.
The number of enterprises with foreign investments has tripled and reached 196, and the number of regional exporting enterprises - 240. Products manufactured in Karakalpakstan are exported to many foreign countries. Goods such as knitwear, yarn, table salt, silk, flour, dried tomatoes, glass jars, furniture and leather semi-finished products, washing powder are highly valued in the foreign market. Such large exporting enterprises as Uz-Kor Gas Chemical and the Kungrad Soda Plant make a huge contribution to the economic development of the republic. 
Foreign direct investment amounts to $ 12.3 million, local budget revenue - 636.5 billion soums, and per capita - 3.2 million soums. This year, the incomes of about 50 thousand socially vulnerable categories of families will increase. Also, within the framework of the program "20 thousand entrepreneurs - 500 thousand qualified specialists", 39,831 unemployed citizens are assigned to 625 entrepreneurs. 
Families in need of assistance are protected by the State. An inventory was carried out in all houses of villages and villages in accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers "On measures to create decent living conditions for residents and further improve the infrastructure of mahallas in the Republic of Karakalpakstan" dated February 2, 2023. It is planned to repair the roofs of 21,094 houses and rebuild 709 unsuitable, in disrepair houses. The housing conditions of 51 thousand families in need of social protection have improved. 
There are a total of 12,381.5 kilometers of highways in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Of these, 4254 km are public highways, 8127.5 km are internal streets of farms, towns and villages. New roads and bridges are being built with infrastructure that meets international requirements. This serves such noble goals as ensuring the safety of passengers, saving their time, and radically changing the appearance of our mahallas.
The Head of State in one of his speeches noted: "If the people are pleased, then the Almighty will be pleased with us." The purpose of this idea is to achieve satisfaction of the population, families in distress, on the basis of which practical activities continue. It should be noted here that the quality and timely execution of the work started in each area is under the control of sector managers. 
In recent years, the number of kindergartens in Karakalpakstan has increased from 317 to 1,600, and their coverage of children has increased from 28 percent to 81. 172 schools have been completely renovated, and 118,000 places for students have been created in 104 schools with additional facilities. 
In the near future, 160 new kindergartens will be built and reconstructed in the republic, two thousand private kindergartens will be created. In the next seven years, an additional 100,000 student places will be organized, 30 schools and additional buildings for 150 schools will be erected, and 350 will be renovated. The number of specialized schools will double and reach 32. As a result, schools in Karakalpakstan will not have more than 30-35 students in each class.
The work on the structural transformation of the region's economy, the large-scale development of industry, production and entrepreneurship brings its effect. 
Today, the supply of drinking water in Karakalpakstan has reached 71 percent, electricity supply - 100 percent, natural gas supply through the network - 72.9 percent.
A new system of work with appeals of the population in the Aral Sea region has also been created. Work has intensified to identify and solve systemic problems that most cause complaints. Important in this regard are field receptions organized by responsible persons on the ground for the purpose of dialogue with the people, studying the problems that concern compatriots, and providing practical assistance.
Achievements in the field of agriculture are commendable. In particular, it is planned to plant cotton on 86.8 thousand hectares and get 240 thousand tons of harvest. From 53 thousand hectares of wheat fields, a hirman of 238.5 thousand tons was raised. 858 tons of cocoon were obtained from 14,785 boxes of silkworm.
The announcement of 2023 in the country as the "Year of Human Care and Quality Education" has further strengthened the emphasis on education. The number of higher educational institutions in Karakalpakstan has reached 12 today. The quota of admission to universities has increased 3.5 times, and coverage - from 19 percent to 46. At the moment, 58 thousand students are studying in higher educational institutions of the republic. 
The necessary conditions for sports have been created. Stadiums, sports complexes, swimming pools have been built, and there are sports grounds in each mahalla. Our athletes adequately participate in such team games as football, basketball, volleyball, and occupy prestigious places. And Sherzod Mamutov, Shahzoda Ibragimova, Islam Abdazov, Dilnoza Usnatdinova raise the flag of our state high at the World Cups, Asian championships. Our pride is Zhalgasbai Berdimuratov, who was awarded a gold medal at the Asian Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship, fencer Zainab Dayibekova, who won prizes in many competitions. In particular, Musa Aimuratov, Dilnoza Usnatdinova, Dilnaz Murzatayeva, Ayakoz Zhumamuratova became Asian fencing champions. We are proud of such athletes as Aktenge Keunimzhayeva, Shahzoda Ibragimova, Rustam Zhangabayev, Nargiza Zhumaniyazova, Aselai Amangeldieva, Sahipzhamal Esbosinova, Ernazar Sarsenbayev. They won 39 medals at the World Championships, 91 at the Asian Championships and 1,235 at the Uzbek championships.
Great attention is also paid to the sphere of culture. Cultural, educational and entertainment events, theatrical performances are regularly held. The Karakalpak State National Folklore Ensemble "Aikulash" demonstrated national art with its performances at the International Folklore Festival "Hari-Bulbul" on the occasion of the proclamation of the city of Shushi as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2023, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This year "Aikulash" also took part with Karakalpak national dances in the international festival "Saraj Fest - 2023", held in the Republic of North Macedonia. 
Our country is rich in its history, culture, traditions, ancient objects of archaeological heritage. This further increases the tourism potential of the republic. Today, large-scale work is being carried out to popularize the tourist potential of the region, increase the flow of tourists. In order to increase the level of service and provide amenities for visiting guests, a sufficient number of accommodation facilities have been built. Today there are more than 50 tourist enterprises, 31 hotels, 44 family guest houses and 22 hostels in Karakalpakstan.
Separate tourist destinations are the city of Nukus, the Chimbay, Ellikkalinsky, Turtkul, Beruniysky and Muynak districts. For example, on the territory of the latter there are natural objects related to the direction of ecotourism, such as the Aral Sea, the Ustyurt plateau, Lake Sudochye.
There are 131 archaeological monuments, 24 architectural monuments, 88 monumental structures and 45 places of interest in Karakalpakstan. It would be correct to call the territory an open-air museum, because there are a lot of objects of material cultural heritage in the republic. Their history goes back three to five thousand years. Since 2021, the Nizhne-Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve has been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In addition, the I.V. State Museum of Art. Savitsky, which is considered invaluable in Central Asia, is located in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan 
This year, more than 700 thousand local and over 84 thousand foreign tourists visited the territory, and the export of tourist services amounted to $ 18.9 million. 
Summarizing the above, we note that the comprehensive work carried out in the New Uzbekistan fully corresponds to the current mood of the population. 
Farkhod Ermanov.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.