Uzbekistan has been witnessing significant transformation since the election of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016: changing foreign policy priorities, liberalizing economy, reforming state administration and developing job opportunities for a younger population (72% of the population is under the age of forty). All international experts who monitor and write about the situation in Central Asia in recent years, note one important feature – this region has undergone a radical transformation, positive trends have affected almost all spheres, from political and economic to cultural and humanitarian. Our Editor-in-Chief Egor Sharay tells more.
And all together they call Uzbekistan the main driving regional force, which became such after the election of President of the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016. Over the past 5 years, under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has been carrying out systemic reforms aimed at liberalizing and modernizing the national economy, ensuring its sustainable development and consistent integration into world economic relations.
The ongoing regional policy of the leader of Uzbekistan is a symbol of renewal not only of the foreign policy of Tashkent, but of the entire Central Asia. Indeed, as a result of the establishment of truly fraternal ties of cooperation with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, as well as the deepening of strategic partnership with Afghanistan, a completely new political atmosphere based on mutual trust and good neighborliness has formed in the region.
Firstly, a sincere political will is expressed to resolve all the problems that have accumulated in the region. The principle of “discussing acute issues and finding reasonable compromises” allowed solving a number of important and sensitive issues on the basis of consistency and consideration of mutual interests, such as the boundaries and use of the region’s water and energy resources. Secondly, a large-scale work has been done to turn Uzbekistan and all of Central Asia into a more attractive region in economic and investment terms.
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Uzbekistan’s GDP grew by 1.6% in 2020, reaching US$57.6 billion. The combined GDP of the countries of the region grew from US$253 billion in 2016 to US$302.8 billion in 2019. Amid a pandemic, this figure at the end of 2020 decreased by only 2.5%, amounting to US$295.1 billion. In 2016-2019, the inflow of foreign direct investment into the region increased by 40%, amounting to US$37.6 billion. At the same time, the Boston Consalting Group predicts an inflow of up to US$170 billion in foreign investment into the region over the next 10 years.
Thanks to the open policy of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the tourism potential of Uzbekistan and the entire region has been revealed in a new way. The number of travelers to Central Asian countries in 2016-2019 almost doubled – from 9.5 to 18.4 million people. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, foreign tourist flow to Uzbekistan increased by 27.3%, to Kazakhstan – by 10%. Experts associate the positive dynamics with the facilitation of visa policies in almost all countries of the region, as well as with the “high-speed reforms” of Uzbekistan in the tourism sector. It should be noted that in Uzbekistan there are a large number of religious centers, such as the Khazrati Imam Complex, where one of the most valuable relics of Islam is kept – the Koran of Caliph Uthman, the Tomb of the great Islamic theologian Muhammad al-Bukhari, the burials of the Sufis of the Naqshbandiyya Brotherhood and much more. To touch the historical shrines, millions of tourists from all over the world visit the country every year.
By the way, Uzbekistan is making significant efforts in the direction of “Ziyorat” (Pilgrim) tourism. Introduced visa-free transit entry for up to 5 days for citizens of 100 countries. A pilgrim visa has been introduced, issued for a period of up to 2 months to foreign citizens who come to make pilgrimages and study the cultural, historical, religious and spiritual heritage and traditions of Uzbekistan. Thirdly, the awareness of the community of interests strengthens the perception of the region as an integral, consolidated player. The symbol of this pragmatic approach was the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan. All this gives confidence that by joint efforts the leaders of the Central Asian countries can independently ensure stability in the region, resolve all controversial issues peacefully in an open and trusting dialogue.
Fourthly, the trend towards regional rapprochement was positively assessed and supported by the world community. External partners gradually developed an understanding that stimulating regional interaction opens up new opportunities for the implementation of promising projects in Central Asia. Thus, the new policy of Uzbekistan’s leader contributed to the formation of Central Asia as a stable, open and steadily developing region, a promising and predictable international partner.
Noting with satisfaction the significant growth of interest towards Uzbekistan and all Central Asian countries around the world in recent years. More and more people are being aware of Uzbekistan, and showing interest not only in tourism, but also in business, trade and investment. We are happy and ready to fully contribute to these sentiments and support any business projects. In Uzbekistan, at present, extensive privileges have been granted for foreign businessmen, so that they feel safe, and their investments bring them constant and sustainable revenue.
