Over 500,000 new jobs were created in Uzbekistan during the first half of 2012
This figure was mentioned in a report on the results of Uzbekistan's socio-economic development in January-June 2012, which was issued by the Uzbek Ministry of Economy and the State Statistics Committee. The Uzbek National News Agency posted the text of the report on its website on 23 July.
27 July 2012
"Within the framework of the job creation programme, 510,500 new jobs were created across the country during the first half of this year," the report said. It added that nearly 70 per cent of these jobs were created in villages.
The report highlighted the main macroeconomic figures for this period as well as the country's achievements in diversifying the economy, modernizing production and developing small business and infrastructure.
It said that the country had attracted over 1bn dollars of foreign investment and loans during this period. "Direct foreign investment made up o! ver 80 per cent of this amount," the report said.
"Measures taken to stimulate the development of small and private entrepreneurship have led to the increase in small businesses' share in GDP - to 42.6 per cent," the report said.
It said that over 530 manufacturing facilities had been commissioned in the country during this period.
The report also listed the main tasks that the country set to develop its economy in 2012. These tasks reportedly include expanding the scale of reforms, speeding up modernization processes, creating favourable business and investment climate, boosting employment and increasing the population's income.
Source: Uzbek National News Agency website