Speech by Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes Amanbay Orynbayev at the Ceremony Dedicated to the 35th Anniversary of the State Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Assalamu Alaikum, Dear Compatriots!
First of all, allow me, on behalf of the Jokargy Kenes and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, to sincerely congratulate you and, through you, our entire flourishing nation on the blessed date in the history of our country, our greatest and dearest holiday — the 35th anniversary of our Independence — and to wish you great success in all your noble endeavors aimed at the further prosperity of our country and the well-being of our people.
Dear Friends!
We can proudly say that Independence, which opened a broad path for the distinctive development of our country and has become a symbol of our free and prosperous life, is our greatest and most precious treasure, our national pride, and a reliable guarantee of our bright future.
That is why this blessed date is celebrated widely and with great joy throughout our country every year as a holiday that inspires our people to achieve new successes and undertake great creative endeavors.
Importantly, under a special resolution of the President, this year’s celebrations are being held under the deeply meaningful idea, “One Homeland, One People — Creating a New Life and Future!” This unites our multinational people in the pursuit of the further development of our Motherland and inspires all of us to undertake noble endeavors.
Certainly, thirty-five years may be a short period in historical terms. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that for every person living in New Uzbekistan, these years have become a period of recognizing our identity, honoring our national values, and witnessing development and renewal worthy of centuries.
Indeed, looking back at the historic events of recent years, our multinational people welcomed with great joy and pride the inclusion of such outstanding examples of our national heritage as kobyz making, the art of jirov performance, and the Qara Uy on UNESCO lists, through the initiative of the President and with the support of the Head of the Presidential Administration; the inclusion of the world’s largest Qara Uy, erected in our capital, in the Guinness World Records; and the holding here of the Aral Culture Summit, embodying the idea that “The Aral Sea region is not only an ecological area, but also a major center of culture.”
Certainly, all this is a practical manifestation of the President’s high attention to and care for our rich cultural heritage.
Speaking of such major developments of great importance to the lives of our people, we should mention the commissioning of the Nukus-1 and Nukus-2 wind power plants worth US$367 million, where 300 MW wind turbines and 100 MW electricity storage batteries have been installed; the commissioning of a 240-kilometer section of the US$323 million Kungrad–Beyneu highway, connecting our country with European states; the construction of a modern bridge across the Amudarya River worth 379 billion sum; the creation of “green cover” through the planting of desert-resistant vegetation across 2 million hectares of the dried bed of the Aral Sea; the transformation of the Qarateren tourist complex in Takhtakupyr and the Ethno Village, reflecting our national traditions, into attractive recreation destinations; the launch of flights from Nukus to Muynak, Almaty, and Aktau; and the establishment of railway services along the Nukus–Mangystau route. All these are joyful events being written in golden letters into the new history of our country.
Dear Compatriots!
The reforms being implemented across all sectors in recent years are laying a solid foundation for new achievements.
Taking economic indicators alone as an example, gross regional product amounted to 8.5 trillion sum in 2016, while by the beginning of this year it had increased 6.3-fold to more than 54 trillion sum. The share of entrepreneurs reached 66 percent.
The number of business entities has increased 2.5-fold to 26,500; foreign investment has grown 500-fold to US$2.5 billion as of the beginning of this year; the number of exporting enterprises has increased fourfold to 250, while export volumes have grown by an average of eightfold; and the number of enterprises with foreign capital has increased fourfold to 251. All of this demonstrates the rapid development of our economy.
It is also important to emphasize that the volume of industrial production, which plays an important role in creating new jobs, has increased from 4.5 trillion sum in 2016 to 29 trillion sum.
At the same time, the reforms implemented in recent years under the leadership of the President, extensive development and improvement works carried out everywhere, including in the most remote mahallas, and practical measures to support our young people, women, and senior citizens are playing an extremely important role in ensuring the well-being of our people.
In this regard, more than 80 decrees and resolutions adopted by the President specifically for Karakalpakstan over the past ten years have provided a solid foundation for unprecedented positive developments in the region.
In particular, long-standing problems faced by our citizens have been resolved, and cadastral documents have been formalized for 39,138 previously unauthorized residential properties.
Construction and renovation works are also being carried out in more than 21,000 homes of citizens in need of assistance. Pension and benefit recipients and persons with disabilities are able to purchase railway and airline tickets at prices reduced by half. Moreover, over the past four years, nearly 37,000 young people from Karakalpakstan have had the opportunity to become university students through additional admission quotas, and additional quotas are also expected to be allocated this year. All these are noble initiatives embodying the principle “For Human Dignity” and bringing joy to thousands of our citizens.
Dear Compatriots!
As a result of the benefits provided to entrepreneurs and the broad opportunities created for them, entirely new industries have emerged in Karakalpakstan, including construction materials, textiles, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, leather processing, and food production, with numerous plants, factories, and enterprises commissioned.
To mention some examples, a US$50 million enterprise producing thermal insulation materials from basalt minerals has been launched in our capital, Nukus. A US$48.5 million yarn production enterprise has begun operations, a US$23.5 million heating radiator plant has opened, and a US$15 million aerated concrete block production enterprise has been commissioned. For the first time in Karakalpakstan, a US$10 million five-star hotel has begun operating under the brand of the renowned American company Ramada by Wyndham.
In cooperation with foreign investors, US$8 million worth of footwear and leather goods production has also been established. Notably, this enterprise supplies leather products for vehicles of the world-renowned Italian Ferrari brand.
In Turtkul District, a US$7 million enterprise capable of decorating 4.5 million glass containers annually has been commissioned, while Dunyo Medstroy has established a three-storey medical clinic worth US$4 million.
In addition, for the first time in our country, annual production of more than half a ton of gold has been launched jointly with Chinese investors; a 300 billion sum shopping complex has been established in Beruniy, creating more than 250 jobs; poultry farms worth US$16 million, designed to raise 280,000 pedigree chickens annually, have opened in Kegeyli and Nukus districts; new capacities for finished textile production have been created in Chimbay, Karauzyak, Takhtakupyr, Beruniy, and Ellikkala districts; annual production of 20,000 tons of extra-grade salt and 3,000 tons of tablet salt has been launched in Muynak and Kungrad; a US$12 million lime production enterprise has begun operations in Karauzyak; livestock, wool, and milk processing enterprises worth US$10 million have started operating in Takhtakupyr; a US$4 million fiberboard production enterprise using licorice root waste has opened in Kegeyli; and flour mills have been commissioned under the Chimboy Un, Qipchoq, Xojeli Un, Qiyat, and Qanlikol Unlari brands. All this once again demonstrates the tremendous creative power of our Independence and shows how effectively our entrepreneurs are making use of the favorable opportunities available to them.
Dear Friends!
Importantly, these positive efforts will continue, and many new enterprises and plants will be commissioned in the coming years.
For example, in the field of artificial intelligence technologies alone, three mining and DATA centers worth a total of US$5.11 billion will be constructed. In particular, the first stage of a US$3.5 billion DATA center in Takhiatash District, being developed with Chinese investors, will be commissioned in the near future.
In Kungrad, giant wind power plants with a capacity of 3,200 MW and a value of US$3.3 billion are under construction. Construction continues on a US$2 billion plant designed to enable the extraction of 58 million tons of iron ore annually at the Tebinbulak deposit. In our capital, a modern five-star hotel, a Congress Hall, and a 22-storey residential building are being constructed with an investment of US$78 million. In addition, a US$40 million Industrial Technopark will be established, where ready-to-use buildings will be constructed for entrepreneurs.
In Nukus, a US$120 million enterprise producing six types of components for the KIA automobile plant will begin operations. A US$100 million recreation area and shopping center modeled on “Seoul Moon” will be created along the Dostlik Canal. A US$20 million residential complex, modern hotel, and recreation area will be developed on the shore of Ashshikul. A logistics center will be constructed with 82.5 billion sum, and a US$3 million pharmaceutical production enterprise will begin operations.
In Beruniy District, a US$3 million agro-complex with an annual capacity of 36,000 tons of compound feed for livestock and fish farming will begin operations. A US$5 million aerated concrete block production enterprise will be commissioned jointly with Chinese investors, while US$10 million worth of fruit and vegetable processing capacity will be created.
In Nukus District, US$15 million worth of copper pipe and cable production will be established. Yarn factories with a combined value of US$40 million will open in Takhtakupyr and Kegeyli districts. A US$35 million glass container production enterprise will resume operations in Khojeyli. Chinese investors will construct a US$30 million wind turbine manufacturing plant in Kungrad, while two modern shopping centers worth a total of US$37.5 million will be commissioned in Ellikkala and Amudarya districts.
Many more projects of this kind, which play an important role in strengthening our country’s economy, can be cited in every district.
Dear Compatriots!
Certainly, we cannot imagine the prosperity of our country and the well-being of our people without development and improvement works.
As a result of the large-scale work being carried out across the region, Karakalpakstan has in recent years been turning into a vast construction site.
To give just one example, the total volume of construction work in cities and districts amounted to 1 trillion 172 billion sum in 2016. By the beginning of this year, the figure had increased 8.5-fold to nearly 10 trillion sum.
As a result of these efforts, nearly 435 new multi-storey residential buildings have been constructed and more than 17,000 families have moved into new homes. Construction and renovation works have been carried out at 462 schools, 295 state kindergartens, 94 healthcare facilities, and 60 cultural and sports facilities, creating comfortable conditions for our people, particularly young people.
At the same time, more than 4,500 kilometers of drinking water and sewerage networks have been constructed, increasing the share of the population with access to centralized drinking water from 51 percent to 77 percent.
In particular, reconstruction works worth 87 billion sum were completed at the Nukus water treatment facility, fully providing the population of our capital with clean drinking water. In Nukus District, 263 kilometers of drinking water networks worth US$11.5 million were installed, increasing access to clean drinking water from 68 percent to 90 percent.
Furthermore, the modernization of nearly 700 transformers and more than 2,400 kilometers of power lines in recent years has helped reduce unjustified power outages for nearly 200,000 households.
More than 5,741 kilometers of roads have also been paved at a cost exceeding 5 trillion sum, while construction and renovation works have been carried out on 128 bridges.
Speaking of social sector facilities constructed in recent years, the commissioning of Turan Stadium in our capital ahead of the holiday became a true holiday gift for our young people.
The facility, modernized at a cost of 117 billion sum, includes a 200-bed dormitory, three sports halls, and classrooms for the Football Academy, providing all the necessary conditions for our football players.
Other important events in the lives of our people include the commissioning of the new building of Nukus State Pedagogical Institute worth 76 billion sum; construction of the Muhammad al-Khwarizmi Specialized School worth 61 billion sum; construction of a 17-storey IT Park; commissioning of the Gymnastics Center worth 79 billion sum and the Kurash Excellence Sports School worth 13 billion sum; opening of a modern 124 billion sum sanatorium in Bozatau; launch of the Scientific and Practical Medical Academy worth 153 billion sum; creation of all necessary facilities at the Nukus Branch of the Conservatory, constructed at a cost of 27 billion sum; completion of modern amphitheaters worth 23.5 billion sum in Turtkul and Amudarya; commissioning of the Republican Emergency Medical Care Center worth 61 billion sum, the Republican Ambulance Center worth 11 billion sum, and maternity complexes worth 45 billion sum in Beruniy, Ellikkala, Turtkul, and Amudarya districts; as well as the establishment of the National Children’s Medical Center and the Aral Sea Region Clinic.
As a result of these measures, preschool enrollment has increased from 25 percent in 2016 to 84 percent, while the share of school graduates entering higher education institutions has risen from 12 percent in 2016 to 55 percent. Three-shift schooling has been completely eliminated, 150 new types of medical treatment procedures have been introduced, and for the first time in the history of medicine in Karakalpakstan, liver and kidney transplantations and open-heart surgeries have been successfully performed.
Dear Friends!
In recent years, along with all other sectors, a number of practical measures have been implemented to develop agriculture, water management, and livestock farming.
In particular, between 2017 and 2026, construction and renovation works worth 1 trillion 139 billion sum were carried out across 11,500 kilometers of canals and collectors.
Another important development is the delivery of nearly 11,500 units of agricultural machinery and equipment, which are essential tools for our farmers. These include 160 cotton harvesters and 110 grain combines, which play an important role in helping our farmers achieve abundant harvests.
One of the major developments in livestock farming has been the launch in Khojeyli District of Central Asia’s first laboratory for producing embryos of pedigree cattle.
Dear Compatriots!
This year’s “Year of Mahalla Development and Advancement of Society,” embodying ambitious goals and noble endeavors, is also rich in joyful and memorable events.
Among these developments, we should particularly highlight the start, with the support of the President, of work to convert the Central Boiler House in Nukus to cogeneration technology.
During the first stage of this US$83 million reconstruction project, high-quality heating will be provided to multi-storey residential buildings housing nearly 23,000 residents of our capital, as well as 40 social facilities.
In addition, projects worth US$145 million are currently underway to improve drinking water supply in Amudarya, Beruniy, Karauzyak, Kungrad, and Muynak districts. Construction and renovation works worth US$78 million are being carried out on 286 kilometers of sewerage networks in Nukus, Takhiatash, and Khojeyli districts. Electrification of the Miskin–Nukus high-speed railway line is nearing completion. Reconstruction worth US$303 million has begun on a 92-kilometer section of the A-380 highway passing through Turtkul, Beruniy, and Ellikkala districts. Construction and renovation works worth a total of 730 billion sum are being carried out at 403 facilities to improve infrastructure in two districts and 32 mahallas being developed in the image of New Uzbekistan, as well as in four districts and 102 mahallas classified as facing difficult conditions.
Furthermore, in recent years, 68 modern buses worth 78 billion sum have been imported to improve public transportation services in Nukus, and more than 160 additional buses are planned to be delivered by the end of this year.
At present, the Sheikh Khalifa Foundation of the United Arab Emirates is completing construction of a US$28 million Mother and Child Clinic, while a new building for the Republican Oncology Medical Center is being constructed at a cost of nearly 45 billion sum.
In addition, work is beginning in Khojeyli District, in cooperation with Chinese investors, to establish a US$400 million Youth Socio-Economic Center.
Certainly, we could speak at length about such positive developments connected with the bright future of our people.
Dear Compatriots!
This year, our multinational people are welcoming the holiday celebrations at an especially high level.
In particular, the “Independence Celebrations” festivals have been held in a festive spirit in cities, districts, and all mahallas. Ahead of the holiday, 101 young families in need of social protection received new homes as a Presidential gift. In addition, construction and renovation works worth nearly 11 billion sum were carried out in the homes of 186 socially vulnerable families under the “Green Renovation” program. A total of 92 social sector and infrastructure facilities were opened, while a number of our contemporaries received state awards. All of this has added even greater festive spirit to the celebrations and brought joy to our people.
Dear Compatriots!
Certainly, such celebrations are always befitting our independent country, where our people live in peace and tranquility.
Therefore, allow me once again to sincerely congratulate all of you on the 35th anniversary of our Independence and wish you good health, peace and prosperity in your homes, and great success in all your noble endeavors for the further development of our country.
Amanbay Orinbaev
Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan