OREANDA-NEWS. On February 20, 2008 the meeting at the Samarkand region administration discussed the issues mentioned in the report of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers, devoted to results of social and economic development of the country in 2007 and to the major priorities of deepening the economic reforms in 2008, reported the Official website www.gov.uz.

At the meeting, which was conducted by acting governor A.Bahromov , it was noticed that last year the region reached good results in social and economic development. In particular, the gross territorial product increased by 10,5 percent, manufacturing volumes in industry by 24,6 percent, and in agriculture by 6,3 percent. Manufacturing of consumer goods increased by 18,6 percent, goods turnover by 19,3, services by 37,3, paid services by 23,7, and export volumes by 35,1 percent.

Within last year, the total investments into the region’s economy increased by 7,2 percent. 82 investment projects in the service sector were completed, and the volume of direct foreign investments made up USD 41 million.

As a result of structural transformations in the economy and consecutive implementation of government programs 55,200 new work places were created and 8,508 people were provided with home-based work.

Thanks to undertaken measures in development of small and private business, the number of business subjects in 2007 increased by 18,8 percent, and the quantity of allocated credits for them grew twice.

At meeting along with the reached successes the shortcomings were analyzed. In particular, last year Kushrabat, Narpaj, Nurabad, Akdarya, Ishtihan and Bulungur districts attracted no direct foreign investments. In Pastdargam and Pahtachi districts no new industrial enterprises were founded.

ALthough the small business share in industry on the average in the region made up 29,8 percent, this indicator remained low in some districts.

Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan K.Sanakulov participated in the meeting.