Shavkat Mirziyoyev Outlines Key Targets for Employment, Poverty Reduction, and Investment in 2025

Shavkat Mirziyoyev Outlines Key Targets for Employment, Poverty Reduction, and Investment in 2025

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a crucial meeting on February 3 to discuss the implementation of measures aimed at addressing employment issues, reducing poverty, and attracting investments to Uzbekistan. The meeting followed up on key initiatives outlined in previous meetings in December and January, setting ambitious targets for the year ahead.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that 2025 must mark a turning point in tackling employment challenges and poverty reduction, with the goal of providing employment for 5.2 million people, lifting 1.5 million citizens out of poverty, and attracting $42 billion in foreign investments. Additionally, the country aims to increase its export volumes to over $30 billion.

Reports presented at the meeting highlighted positive progress, with 277,000 people employed in January alone. Among them, 91,000 secured permanent jobs, and 153,000 engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

The government is also adopting new approaches to poverty reduction across 32 strategic areas. Recently, specialist groups from ministries and regional administrations visited China to exchange knowledge and learn from international best practices. Efforts are actively underway to inform the public about available opportunities and assist individuals in finding sustainable sources of income.

Investment attraction and job creation remain closely linked, with 8,000 projects worth $14 billion planned for implementation this year, which are expected to generate 272,000 permanent jobs. Preliminary estimates indicate that $3 billion in foreign investments were attracted to Uzbekistan in 2024, with an additional $3 billion expected in February 2025. This will include the launch of 630 new projects.

In the export sector, Uzbekistan’s export volumes reached $1.3 billion since the beginning of the year. The government has directed officials to collaborate with foreign partners to assist local entrepreneurs in accessing international markets and involving new enterprises in export activities.

President Mirziyoyev concluded the meeting by urging officials to significantly accelerate investment efforts and focus on a targeted approach for each project to ensure the country meets its ambitious economic goals in 2025.