Mirziyoyev: an additional $196.5 mln will be allocated to support businesses and the population

The regular videoconference chaired by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was devoted to gradual lifting lockdown restrictions while maintaining a high level of vigilance. The measures primarily aim to revitalize economic sectors, increase employment and income. Addressing the meeting Mirziyoyev once again urged everyone to keep in mind that the pandemic is not over.

Mirziyoyev said that some $294 mln have been allocated to mitigate the Covid-related impact. In addition, implementation of $100 mln new investment projects have recently been launched to breathe a new life into the economy.

To help citizens in this difficult period, banks have provided a delay for repayment of loans to 87 thousand business entities for a total of $1.7 billion. For ordinary citizens, this number is $491 million.

In the past month alone, over 250,000 entrepreneurs and businesses, 83,000 farms received a deferred payment of taxes and other payments totalling $39 mln. More than 11 thousand entrepreneurs who use state property are now exempt from paying rent.

With the observance of precautionary measures, 10 thousand of the 14 thousand industrial enterprises that suspended their activities for the period of quarantine have resumed their activity. 178 thousand employees returned to their jobs.

The Ministry of economic development and poverty reduction has been instructed to carefully study the problems of 4,000 idle industrial enterprises together with the regional mayors and establish their activities by the end of May.

Mirziyoyev promised that support for entrepreneurs and the population will not be limited with previous benefits and will continue.

Funds totalling over $196 million will be allocated from the budget to support the economy and citizens.

The meeting also discussed the epidemiological situation in the country and further easing of quarantine requirements based on the proposals of regional leaders.

The government will renew flights between the capital Tashkent and some remote provinces as well as train links connecting it to nearby cities as it eases confinement measures.

Meanwhile, Mirziyoyev did not provide an exact time frame for them but instructed officials to work out the details.

He also ordered the cabinet to allow various service providers to reopen in “green” and “yellow” zones - parts of the country that have reported low or medium rates of new cases as opposed to “red” zones.

Instructions were also given to establish production of high-demand goods.