Important Issue: The service sector a manifestation of respect
08.02.2025
Creating favorable conditions expands opportunities, which in turn benefits and brings advantages to the country. This ensures development and enhances the country's prestige on an international level. Thus, the conditions created across the entire sector should align with excellent service.
These issues were discussed on February 7, 2025 during a video-conference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The meeting analyzed the development of the service sector in the regions.
It was noted that the large-scale program launched three years ago is already yielding results. Another 1.5 million people have gained a stable source of income. The volume of services has increased from 19 billion dollars in 2018 to 65 billion dollars.
These achievements are commendable, but there is a need to improve and expand opportunities. The potential for further growth remains significantly higher, and the realization of opportunities in the regions and sectors is often not carried out with the necessary coordination.
During the meeting, considerations were voiced with specific facts, such as in the example of Khorezm. Khorezm plans to attract 6 million tourists, but both the number of flights and the rail links are insufficient for this. At the same time, the cost of projects involving the private sector in sectors like medicine, aviation, and energy has exceeded 20 billion dollars, whereas there are practically no similar initiatives in the areas of drinking water supply, sewage systems, and road construction.
The largest sector in the service industry is tourism. In recent years, thanks to establishing contacts with more than 90 countries, the number of foreign tourists has increased almost fourfold, and the export of tourist services reached 3.5 billion dollars last year. However, the potential of the country is much higher. For example, citizens of Malaysia and Indonesia wish to visit the mausoleums of our great scholars before performing Umrah, and a "Umrah Plus" tour package is planned for this purpose.
While the meeting discussed the provision of services in various regions and sectors, we would like to share some thoughts on issues related to tourist services.
Tourist services (hotels, restaurants, transportation, guides) generate significant income for the country's economy. The national economy is strengthened by increasing foreign currency inflows.
Certaily, this step will create new jobs. The tourism sector will generate new jobs such as in the hotel business, guiding services, transport services, and manual labor. This, in turn, will expand employment opportunities for youth and local residents. Infrastructure will also develop on its own. Roads, hotels, airports, transportation systems, and other infrastructure will be improved. It is important to note that this not only benefits tourists but also the local population. This initiative and organization also pave the way for popularizing our national culture and history. Thanks to tourists, our national culture, traditions and historical heritage are becoming more widely known around the world.