The discussion focuses on reducing poverty in neighborhoods through banking services.

For instance, in the Uychin district, as a result of banks collaborating with 3,200 active clients and assisting them in solving their issues, 9,000 individuals secured permanent employment. The number of impoverished people decreased by 6,000.

In Sayhunabad, projects have been launched in 3,200 households, and 12,000 individuals have learned to generate income from their personal plots. In Zarbdar, 13,500 jobs have been created, while Gijduvan saw the establishment of 28,000 jobs. As a result, 10,500 people have been lifted out of poverty.

Overall, since the beginning of the year, 3.3 million people in these four pilot regions have gained a stable income. Notably, the average monthly household income has risen from 7.5 million to 10.5 million sums.

Furthermore, in 57 districts, including Khojayli, Asaka, Vobkent, Bulungur, Yangier, Kushtapa, and Shavat, the unemployment rate has fallen to below 5% thanks to the collaborative efforts of hokims, banks, and hokim assistants.

During the meeting, it was noted that some leaders hold the view: “This is temporary; it will all pass in a year or two.”

In light of this, 297 leaders have been relieved of their positions due to weaknesses and irresponsibility in the economic sector. Young, proactive specialists with modern thinking have been appointed in their place, ready to implement new approaches and cater to the needs of the population.

“I warn strictly: a leader who does not engage with the community to address the problems of residents and entrepreneurs will not be able to work. Changes must affect everyone.

You can see that the global political and economic situation is becoming increasingly complex, with new threats emerging. If we do not find answers today, it will be too late tomorrow,” stated the head of state.

In preparation for today’s meeting, calculations have been made aimed at ensuring income for over 5 million citizens and lifting 1.5 million people out of poverty by 2025.

It was indicated that to achieve these goals, regional economic sector leaders must change their mindset, radically revise their working systems and approaches. They have been tasked with holding meetings with entrepreneurs and transitioning to a working format that meets modern requirements.

Moreover, over 40 proposals and initiatives have been prepared to expand the positive experiences of hokims and banks, as well as to address existing issues.

“Overall, 2025 will be the most important and decisive year in ensuring employment and reducing poverty,” emphasized the President.

The head of state outlined new opportunities and plans.

Over the past six years, within the framework of the family entrepreneurship program, 750,000 citizens who repaid their loans on time have established profitable businesses. Among them, 58,000 have opened new enterprises.

Banks have been instructed to support these verified clients, assisting them in transitioning to small and medium-sized businesses. Under the “Support for Small Businesses” program, they will be provided with an unconditional loan of 300 million sums.

This is expected to enable the employment of 1.5 million citizens in the coming years.

Credit resources for family entrepreneurship programs are allocated exclusively from state funds.

At the initiative of the People's Bank, within the framework of the financial inclusion program of the Asian Development Bank, loans of up to 50 million sums are provided without excessive documentation and collateral. Supporting this initiative, the Asian Development Bank is ready to allocate 150 million dollars to the program.

Based on this example, it is recommended to attract 1 billion dollars in external loans through 9 state banks, which will provide income for 250,000 individuals.

It was noted that cooperatives established in 27 districts with the participation of active entrepreneurs are yielding good results.

The task has been set to increase the number of cooperatives in 30 districts in areas such as aquaculture, rabbit farming, livestock breeding, and beekeeping, allocating 500 billion sums for this purpose.

Additionally, 15,000 entrepreneurs are currently selling their products through electronic platforms, significantly boosting their incomes. In this regard, the UN Development Program, in collaboration with a private bank, is training 1,300 women, helping them to sell their products online.

The head of state expressed sincere gratitude to Akiko Fujii, the permanent representative of the UN Development Program in Uzbekistan, for the projects being implemented and the introduction of new ideas.

Support for startup projects that attract investments and create jobs will be expanded.

It was noted that state banks should also establish a venture company each and allocate a total of 50 million dollars from their own funds to support startups in the communities. The creation of accelerators to transform startups into full-fledged businesses is also deemed appropriate.

It was emphasized that in challenging districts, a separate approach to supporting entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment, and alleviating poverty is necessary.

For instance, “Uzpromstroybank” in collaboration with a major exporter from Kuva has implemented projects for growing broccoli and processing wood in the Kungrad district. A loan with a low interest rate was provided for this purpose.

This practice has been approved, and to attract entrepreneurs from other regions, it has been proposed to allocate additional loans to 71 districts with difficult conditions. Additionally, 3 trillion 200 billion sums will be directed towards the infrastructure of 1,000 challenging communities by 2025.

In total, entrepreneurs are prepared to implement 3,500 projects worth 31 trillion sums, which will create 200,000 new jobs.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been tasked with allocating 1 trillion sums for infrastructure development for these projects.

During the meeting, it was noted that due to the cultivation of low-yield crops on 85,000 hectares of land, their utilization remains inefficient.

Such lands are proposed to be consolidated into larger plots and subleased to experienced entrepreneurs, which will allow for a 2-3 times increase in income.

In this regard, the lessee will be paid rent and a share of the proceeds from the cultivated products.

A system is to be created that will provide each of these areas with seeds, seedlings, and fertilizers, as well as establish communication between landowners and entrepreneurs willing to purchase the produced goods.

It was also emphasized that banks, considering the specialization of the districts, should assist in attracting qualified agronomists, livestock specialists, technologists, and engineers from abroad to enhance project efficiency.

With the involvement of banks, work has begun to create industrial plantations in 13 districts. In these areas, a high value-added chain is being formed based on the principle of “cultivation – processing – sale.”

For example, in Jambay, raspberries are grown on 15 hectares. The entrepreneur has distributed seedlings to 170 households and annually receives 200 tons of produce.

Now, with the support of the National Bank, the entrepreneur plans to install a refrigerator with a capacity of 200 tons and produce 25 tons of finished jam annually. As a result, the income of both the population and the entrepreneur will double.

Based on this experience, the importance of organizing similar projects in 50 districts next year has been highlighted.

Over the past six years, 1 million 600 thousand individuals have formed a “good” credit history. At the same time, for those whose history is assessed as “average,” the conditions for obtaining new loans will be tightened.

It was noted that banks should become catalysts for improving the credit history of such clients so that they can become entrepreneurs in the future.

It was proposed that next year, work should be carried out according to individual three-month plans with 100,000 clients from the middle category who have projects. In this work, their tax, electricity, and gas payments should be considered, their financial literacy should be enhanced, and assistance should be provided in improving projects so they can transition to the category of entrepreneurs.

During the meeting, measures were discussed to transform 60 advanced cities and districts of the republic into areas free from unemployment and poverty.

It was noted that in these districts, 2 million people need to be employed and 417 thousand families lifted out of poverty next year. The heads of districts and cities have been instructed to improve infrastructure in these areas.

It was emphasized that banks must possess stable financial resources to realize the identified opportunities.

The necessity of attracting resources not only from state but also from external sources was noted.

For this purpose, each bank is recommended to create a working group for attracting foreign funds, systematically work with foreign banks, conduct roadshows abroad, issue eurobonds, improve the banks' ratings, and adapt to international standards.

It was pointed out that over the last 5 years, the share of loans for small and medium-sized businesses in the total loan portfolio has decreased from 40% to 28%. It was emphasized that measures need to be taken to increase this share to 40%, or to 120 trillion sums.

Overall, it was noted that it is time to stop the practice of financing large projects at the expense of small businesses.

Thanks to the established strong legal framework, this year, micro