Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has managed to change his country for the better. Which of Uzbek president’s reforms should be emulated by Tajikistan.
Since taking over from long-time President Islam Karimov in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pursued an aggressive policy to transform Uzbekistan’s decision-making processes, invigorate civil society, encourage political competition, address human rights and develop a civic culture consistent with the country’s status as a modernizing, forward-looking regional power in Eurasia with a steadily increasing majority of citizens under the age of 30. To declare significant these changes, which seem to take place daily, is to perhaps understate their potential in light of the last 30 years of history.
The various programs proposed by the new president and presently under implementation hold the promise of reshaping the domestic political landscape, changing the fundamental relationship between the citizen and state, and rebalancing the geopolitical order in a region long relegated as the domain of outside great powers.
Uzbekistan is Central Asia’s most populous country and its geographical hub. These features make it the region’s natural and historical political and economic trendsetter. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has launched a wide-ranging reform program that is making considerable progress, especially on economic liberalization.
Staff changes
In the first year of his presidency, Mirziyoyev replaced many high-ranking officials and almost completely replaced senior representatives of local authorities.
The image of Uzbek official has begun to change. They now actively communicate with the population, also on social media, are not afraid to talk about problems, give interview not only local media but also to foreign media.
The number of officials in Uzbekistan reportedly decreased by 15 percent last year.
Fight against corruption
At the very beginning of hi rule, Mirziyoyev has ordered to toughen fight against corruption.
The reform provides for gradually raising teacher’s monthly salary to US$1000 by 2024.
New technologies
Mirziyoyev pays special attention to development of new technologies, wide introduction of digital economy and e-government.
In 2019, Uzbekistan’s first technology park of software products and information technologies was launched in Tashkent. Companies working the territory of this park pay a tax of only 8 percent annum.
Privatization of land
Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law on privatization of non-agricultural lands. The law came into effect on March 1, 2020.
Freedom of speech
Since taking office, Shavkat Mirziyoyev has repeatedly highlighted the necessity of providing freedom of speech and information in the country.
Recognition of migrants’ contribution to Uzbekistan’s economy
The Current Government of Uzbekistan recognizes contribution made labor migrants to the country’s economy. In mid-June 2017, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations of Uzbekistan announced the Government’s intention to protect rights and interests of migrants.
Constructivism in foreign policy
Shavkat Mirziyoyev has managed to improve relationships with neighboring countries, especially with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, in a short time.
Mirziyoyev has reiterated that a confrontational advocacy of national interests in foreign affairs, especially with neighbors, will not have an expected effect.
Meanwhile, Uzbek experts have identified 15 most important reforms of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
UZREPORT said on June 24, 2021 that the nationwide movement Yuksalish has conducted a survey to determine the most effective initiatives and reforms that have contributed to significant changes in the country over the past five years.
According to the survey results, the organization compiled a list of TOP 15 key reforms initiated by Mirziyoyev. According to experts, the most important initiative of the leader of Uzbekistan was the establishment of good-neighborly relations in the region, the opening of borders and the creation of checkpoints, a constructive dialogue with the countries of Central Asia on all issues without exception (96 votes).
The full list of the President's initiatives is as follows:
1. The establishment of good-neighborly relations in Central Asia, the opening of borders and the creation of checkpoints, a constructive dialogue with the countries of Central Asia on all issues without exception;
2. Liberalization of the foreign exchange market, elimination of problems with cash;
3. Development of the public services system, the launch of public services centers, elimination of unnecessary bureaucracy;
4. The introduction of a visa-free regime for 90 countries and a visa-free transit regime for citizens of 48 countries;
5. Strengthening guarantees for the protection of human rights, the elimination of forced, including child labor;
6. Introduction of a new system for considering citizens ' appeals and openness of state bodies;
7. Expanding the media space, strengthening the role of the media in society and decision-making;
8. Raising issues of gender equality to the level of state policy, in particular, the creation of the Republican Gender Commission;
9. Development of the higher education system: increasing the quota of admission to universities, opening branches of national and foreign universities;
10. Improvement of the business environment, in particular, simplification of business registration and management processes;
11. Official recognition of poverty statistics and the formation of an integrated approach to its reduction;
12. Implementation of legal and institutional changes in the fight against corruption;
13. Creation of a new youth support system;
14. Introduction of the procedure for granting citizenship directly to persons who have been permanently residing in Uzbekistan for 15 years;
15. Creation of protective forest stands on the dried-up bottom of the Aral Sea. The launch of the UN Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region, the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a special resolution declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies.
