At a videoconference meeting on April 24, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that global oil prices have risen by 40% since the start of the year, and geopolitical tensions have forced changes in logistics corridors, increasing transport costs for exports and imports by 25–30%.
“No matter how hard we try to develop the economy, if inflation continues to rise, the population and entrepreneurs will not feel positive changes in their lives. Rising prices for goods, works, and services devalue increased incomes,” the president said. Imported inflation puts additional pressure on domestic prices by up to 1%.
He emphasized that under the pretext of external pressure, work to curb inflation cannot be left to chance. “All leaders must write in large letters: 70% of the consumer basket is our own goods and services,” the head of state declared.
To keep inflation at 6.5% this year, governors (hokims) have been tasked with increasing the supply of local products and reducing prices.
Due to logistics disruptions, cattle imports in the first quarter halved. As an operational solution, compensation of up to 4 million soums for air transport of each breeding animal has been introduced, along with reimbursement of half of transport costs for meat imports.
Alternative transport corridors are to be established. In the second quarter, imports of 45,000 tons of meat must be ensured, and by year-end — 130,000 tons.
Regions plan to sow 478,000 hectares with fodder crops. However, in Namangan region, 74% of fodder areas remain unseeded, and in Zarbdar, Kyzyltepa, and Pap districts, silage preparation has not started.
Of the planned 180,000 hectares of potatoes, only 118,000 have been planted. In Kashkadarya, only 41% of areas are planted, in Surkhandarya — 44%. In March alone, potatoes rose in price by 12.4% in Surkhandarya and 9% in Kashkadarya.
The president ordered increased responsibility for deputy governors for agriculture and district governors. “I repeat: there is money, there are resources. There should be no problems with meat and potatoes,” the head of state concluded.
Source: kun.uz