This week is set to be packed with important events in the political life of Uzbekistan. Yesterday, the newly formed two houses, the Legislative Chamber and Senate, of the Oliy Majlis convened separately for their first sessions. Today, they have gathered for a joint meeting.

Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Nurdinjon Ismailov opened the session.

The meeting participants paid tribute to the national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

An interim secretariat and a credentials group have been established, and the agenda has been approved.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted in his speech that over the past three years, more than 30 concepts and strategies have been adopted to accelerate the development of priority areas in the socio-economic realm in the medium and long term.

“For many years we lived in euphoria from high-flying figures, statistics, but they failed to bring any benefit to our people. With this in mind, our main task now is to increase per capita income, steadily develop the economy, and our people should feel this in their lives. The first steps have been taken over the past years. We have yet to secure the intended results. We cannot say now that any one sphere has reached perfection,” the head of state noted.

The President pointed out that it is premature to state that the government has been coping with its tasks. People are waiting for considerable and solid results, he emphasized.

“There are many problems and issues awaiting solution on the ground. The expectations and demands of our people have been growing,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said. “Therefore, every member of the new government is required to take a critical approach to the work in areas they supervise and direct, execute the projected measures in excess, and fulfill the promises made to the people and parliament. In a word, effectiveness in practice and furthering the interests of the people will be the main criteria for evaluating the activities of each member of government.”

For the next five years, the head of state maintained, higher aims are taken to ensure significant rates of economic growth, to improve fiscal policy, promote industries, energy, transport, agriculture, housing and public utility services. Over the past two years, gross domestic product has grown from $ 44 billion to $ 58 billion. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the universal challenge before the government, the Central Bank and hokims of all levels is be to double the GDP to secure $ 100 billion, reduce inflation to 5 percent, and boost the production of consumer goods.

The session continues.