Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized at a meeting on September 11 that security directly affects the investment attractiveness of regions and business confidence. According to him, if the authorities fail to ensure order, economic measures alone will not be enough.
“If we do not curb crime, there will be no success in business, entrepreneurs will not come. Know this,” the president said. Mirziyoyev noted that investors assess not only the country’s economic opportunities but also its level of security.
“Every entrepreneur and company first knows the map of Uzbekistan, but they also take into account whether crime has been curbed there. Therefore, you, the Minister of Internal Affairs [Aziz Tashpulatov], must set an example for everyone. Let everyone know this. You are not doing a small job. Do not think you are working temporarily,” he addressed the heads of law enforcement agencies.
The president stressed that law enforcement agencies must work more intensively to maintain peace and tranquility. “We must be grateful for this peace. But for our people to live in peace, we must work twice as hard. People must live in their homes peacefully, calmly, fearing nothing and no one,” he said.
Mirziyoyev also particularly noted that influential or wealthy individuals must not go unpunished. “If some upstart rich kid appears, I will not spare any of you. Everyone must know this. The state must exist. Then we will have unity and harmony, and people will trust us,” the head of state said.
The meeting was attended by Akmalhoja Mavlonov, Chairman of the Customs Committee; Azizbek Ikramov, Minister of Emergency Situations; Bahodir Tashmatov, Commander of the National Guard; Bahodir Qurbonov, Chairman of the State Security Service; and Aziz Tashpulatov, Minister of Internal Affairs. In late December, the president stated that criminal structures in Uzbekistan are attempting to place themselves above the law and pressure businesses. Athletes are also being involved. He emphasized that the state has enough power to put an end to such groups and called on parliament to toughen laws.
Source: www.gazeta.uz