On August 27, a ceremony of awarding these orders took place in Tashkent. 

The Head of state congratulated everyone on Independence Day, discussed in detail the meaning of the current transformations and achieved results. 

- Today we all see the major results generated by reforms, which possess an irreversible nature in New Uzbekistan. Over the past eight years our gross domestic product is steadily increasing and today achieved 115 billion dollars. For the first time I would also like to announce another indicator: according to International Monetary Fund estimates, the volume of the economy will exceed 130 billion dollars this year. We have never had such growth rates and high international assessments before, – mentioned Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

These results were made possible by active support for entrepreneurship, the construction of modern industrial complexes, the transition to a green and innovative economy, and the development of renewable energy sources, information technology, tourism, and financial services.

Modern cities are being built in the country, and villages and mahallas are being improved. Over the past eight years, apartment buildings with more than 500 thousand apartments have been built – four times more than in the first 25 years of independence. Sixty trillion soums have been allocated to improve the infrastructure of mahallas, villages, and roads. Thanks to investments of $155 billion, over 100 thousand projects have been implemented, and more than 7 million citizens have gained a source of income.

- These tremendous historical achievements are the result of large-scale and well-thought-out reforms and, most importantly, changes in the thinking and worldview of our people. The buildings under construction, modern complexes, comfortable homes, schools, kindergartens, medical, cultural, and sports facilities clearly demonstrate the economic power and creative potential of New Uzbekistan. Most importantly, regardless of the area in which success has been achieved, each result serves, first and foremost, to enhance human dignity and ensure its rights and interests, - emphasized the Head of state.

Over the past eight years, six times more funds have been allocated to social infrastructure than before. As a result, the number of places in kindergartens has increased from 720 thousand to 2.5 million. 466 new schools were built, creating nearly one million student places. The number of students grew from 279 thousand to 1.5 million, with higher education coverage reaching 42 percent.

Last week, in honor of Entrepreneurs' Day, 168 of the most advanced representatives of business, agricultural workers, and farmers were awarded high state honors.

- I will always support and encourage such dedicated compatriots and their initiatives. This is no coincidence. You all know very well that ten years ago, we mainly exported raw materials. Today, industrial exports have grown from $28 billion in 2016 to $62 billion. Would we have achieved such results without creating conditions for entrepreneurs? Of course not, - said the President.

It was noted that today, business representatives have become a true pillar of the economy. It is enough to look at the construction sector: it did not develop at such a pace before. Whereas construction used to be carried out only on state orders, today the number of private construction companies has exceeded 30,000, and the volume of construction materials production has approached $6 billion. Uzbekistan has turned into a huge construction site. Last year alone, construction work worth $23 billion was completed, four times more than in 2016.

Similar colossal changes are taking place in agriculture, textiles, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and pharmaceuticals.

Particular attention is being paid to the development of the service sector.

- Whereas tourism exports previously amounted to less than $500 million, today this figure exceeds $3 billion. Seven or eight years ago, few believed in the possibility of exporting IT products worth a billion dollars. Most importantly the new knowledge and modern technologies have come to all industries. This has led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs and the training of an army of highly qualified specialists. Each sector has developed its own strategy and school of experience for New Uzbekistan.

You, dear compatriots, have made a worthy contribution to the creation of this new history and the new image of our country. For this, I express my deep gratitude to you, - added the Head of State.

The President also congratulated the citizens who received awards in the regions.

The awardees were then solemnly presented with honorary titles, orders and medals.

- The highest goal of our independence is to pay attention to people, elevate their dignity and labor, and improve the lives of our noble people. We all feel this particularly deeply at this moment. May the great happiness of seeing your work duly appreciated and enjoying the respect of society never leave you, - said the President.

The awardees expressed their gratitude for the high attention and conveyed their best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan.