President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a visit to the Khorezm region on 27 January to review the progress of implementation of the social-economic reforms, accomlished creative and improvement works in the region, to have a dialogue with people. 

The dynamic development of our country is a base for mass-scale transformations in the Khorezm region as well. The towns and districts have seen large creative undertakings; many prospective investment projects have been implemented. Within the framework of the Program of industrial development of the Khorezm region for 2013-2015, approved by the resolution of First President of our country Islam Karimov on 22 November 2012, 432 industrial enterprises with investments at the amount of 308 million US dollars have been established. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the pre-election meeting in Shavat district, laid out specific measures for Khorezm region, along with all regions of our country, on economic modernization, further development of agriculture, textiles, medicine, tourism, arts and other spheres. 

The visit of the Head of our state to Khorezm is dedicated to the issues of reviewing the pace of implementation of these tasks, uplifting the development of the region to a new level. 

The President of our country started his visit with a tour of the Ichanqal’a complex in Khiva. The unique Ichanqal’a complex, a museum under open air, represents a rich history, culture, science, ancient architectural and handicraft traditions of our people. This complex, as an invaluable treasure of the humanity, is included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The museum possesses 38 thousand 561 exhibits. 75 thousand people, in particular, 34 thousand tourists from 84 countries of the world visited the Ichanqal’a complex in 2016. 

Khorezm has no shortage of historical monuments and attractions. As a result of their restoration by modern methods, creation of necessary conditions for visitors, tourism has been steadily developing in the region. In 2015 the volume to services, provided to foreign tourists, increased by 20% in comparison to 2013. 

The decree of the Head of our state “On measures to ensure accelerated development of tourist sphere in the Republic of Uzbekistan” on 2 December 2016 has opened even broader opportunities in this sphere. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Pakhlavon Makhmud mausoleum. 

At the Matniyoz Devonbegi madrassah the Head of our state reviewed the plan of creative works, to be carried out in the historical part of Khiva, projects on reconstructing the reception house of Isfandiyorkhon and of the Nurullaboy palace complex. 

The President of our country underlined the necessity to fully utilize the possibility of the Khorezm region in tourism, opening new routes and their popularization in the world market, development of a hotel and transport infrastructure. Tourism is one of the main spheres in developing the economy, especially in creating new jobs. 

Construction of a railway line from Urgench to Khiva and a new railway station in Khiva, commissioning electric trains and, in the future, high-speed Afrosiyob train in this route were stipulated. Aiming at increasing the tourist attractiveness of the city, instructions were given on organization of alleys for evening excursions and walks, entertainment programs, shows of national traditions and customs. 

During a conversation with the entrepreneurs, working in the sphere of tourism, further increasing the number of foreign tourists by means of international cooperation, improving the quality of services, trainings and capacity building measures for specialists in this sphere, boosting the number of enterprises, manufacturing souvenirs were discussed. Relevant instructions were given to responsible public officials. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Khorezm Ma’mun academy as well. 

This academy was restored in accordance with the decree of the First President of our country, dated 11 November 1997. In 2006 the 1000th anniversary of the Khorezm Ma’mum academy was widely celebrated under the aegis of the UNESCO. 

At present 41 scientific researchers, including 7 doctors of science, and 19 candidates of science, are working at this institution. They are carrying out scientific studies in such spheres as the history of state of Khorezm, the contribution of scientists from Khorezm to development of world science and culture, protection of architectural monuments from biological, physical and other damaging effects, improving ecological situation in the region, rational use of land and water resources, increasing soil productivity, acclimatization of crops to corresponding conditions of the region, prevention of salinization and desertification. 

The President of our country underlined the need to enhance scientific spheres at the academy, improve the results of the scientific studies, their wide implementation in practice, further improvement of the living and research conditions for scientists. A special attention was attached to the issues of including this scientific institution to the tourist routes, popularization of the history of our nation among foreign tourists, widely using the successes in archeology, achieved by the academy. 

The President of our country reviewed the project of the fish industry complex, which will be created at the “Boltaboy oqsoqol” farm in Khiva district. 

At present the fish are raised in 232 ha ponds. Over 490 tons of fish was shipped to consumers last year.

The farm plans to raise and process fish, using a Vietnamese technology. This technology is based on raising fingerlings in an intensive method and their rapid transfer to ponds. This method ensures intensive growth of fish relative to the cost of fish feed, resistance to negative hydrochemical factors and diseases. Usually from an area of 1 ha, 1,5-2 tons of fish may be produced. As a result of using the Vietnamese technology, this indicator reached 4 tons. 

Ipotekabank issued a loan for this prospective project. This year the enterprise will produce 300 tons of fish, 20 jobs have been created. 

The Head of our state familiarized with a poultry center project, to be established by Khiva naslli-parranda LLC. 

During a visit to Khazarasp district, the President of our country inspected the reconstruction works, carried out at the Toshsoqa main canal, providing water to agricultural lands in the Khorezm region. 

Due to decrease of water levels in this canal, the pumps were used to irrigate fields. Within the framework of this project, worth over 145 million US dollars, 305 km area of Toshsoqa, Shovot, Polvon-Gazovot canals will be reconstructed, 21 new canals and 607 hydrotechnical installations will be constructed. As a result, 280 pumps will be removed, which will allow to save over 14 billion soums annually. 

Effective organization of the work of constructors and builders, accelerating construction and reconstruction works were underscored. 

As a result of the works, carried out under the leadership of the First President of our country on balanced development of the spheres and regions, the industrial potential of the Khorezm region has increased. Damas, Orlando and Labo cars are manufactured in Khazarasp region. 

The decree of President of our country Shavkat Mirziyoyev “On creating Urgut, Gijduvan, Kokand and Khazarasp free economic zones” on 12 January 2017 is aimed towards effective use of resources in these territories. 

At present a land plot for Khazarasp FEZ has been allocated, the works on provision of a necessary engineering-communications infrastructure has commenced. Over 50 projects in the sphere of textiles, machine building, electric appliances, pharmaceuticals, leather processing, construction materials, to be established in this territory, have been prepared. 

The Head of our state underlined the necessity to pay attention to the quality and duration, attraction of foreign investments and technologies through presentation of the opportunities at the economic zone abroad. 

A meeting with representatives of the Khorezm region was held in Urgench. A particular attention was paid to the issues of social-economic development of the region, further increasing the living conditions of the population, upbringing the younger generation and job creation. 

The meetings and conversations, taking place during the visit of the President of our country to the Khorezm region, are a vivid practical demonstration of the constant flow of ideas with the population in the Year of a dialogue with people and human interests. These dialogues encourage not only residents of Khorezm, but also our whole nation, strengthening their confidence in the future. 

The visit of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Khorezm region is continuing.