On the eve of the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated a series of new facilities with a combined value of nearly 50 trillion soums. Speaking via video link during the ceremony, Bukhara province governor Botir Zaripov told the president that the province had never seen development on this scale in its history.
"If you'll allow me, I'd like to touch briefly on some economic figures. We have historians and elders here with us today — even across Bukhara's 2,500-year history, there has never been development like what we're seeing now, Mr. President," the governor said.
"The funds you've allocated to restore historical monuments — to preserve treasures of our people like the Mir-i Arab Madrasah, the Ark Fortress, and the Kalyan Minaret — the whole world is now taking notice. Foreign tourists are amazed to see these sites brought back to life through restoration," Zaripov said.
The governor pledged that Bukhara Province would eliminate poverty and unemployment by the end of the year.
"As a result of your reforms, we've committed to growing our provincial gross product by 10 percent. You provided us with 12 trillion soums in credit resources. You asked us what more we needed. I'll be honest, Mr. President — we, as provincial governors, now have every opportunity, incentive, and condition you've created to go out into the field and bring poverty and unemployment down to zero. Bukhara will have neither poverty nor unemployment by the end of the year, Mr. President," he said.
President Mirziyoyev acknowledged the progress made but stressed that much work remains.
"This is a major milestone. There was a time when in Bukhara, cotton was planted on every available patch of land, even up to the rooftops. There was no water, no roads. We were among the first to invest heavily in water and road infrastructure — anyone who understands what that took will understand its significance. But we need to remember one thing: yes, our achievements are significant, and they are ours to be proud of, but there is still a great deal of work ahead," the president said.
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