OREANDA-NEWS. October 06, 2008. The Government of Uzbekistan held a meeting at which it has discussed forecasts of main macro-economic indicators, main directions of tax and budget policy as well as the draft of State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2009, the reports have said.

Those spoke at the meeting have said that tax and budget policy being conducted in the country was aimed at promoting development and modernizing economy, gradually lowering the tax burden on economic entities and population, supporting small businesses and private entrepreneurship, bettering investment climate and business environment as well as promoting achieving the set macro-economic indicators and providing for successful accomplishment of State budget.

Speaking at the meeting the heads of various ministries, agencies, economic entities and khokimiyats (municipalities) paid a particular attention to measures aimed at preserving stable high economic growth rates, raising competitiveness of local companies, supporting small and private entrepreneurship, ensuring further growth of people’s incomes and improving tax administering.

The delegates to the meeting considered and supported the proposals of the Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Finance on forecasts of macro-economic indicators for 2009 that envisage preserving high rates of real growth of gross domestic product. Main directions of tax policy envisage further easing of tax burden, first of all, for the companies of real economic sphere, small businesses and private entrepreneurship as well as people’s incomes by way of improving the taxation system and curbing the physical income tax rates.

They have also underscored that the draft of State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2009 envisioned increasing of expenses related to social sphere and social support of population.

As a part of accomplishment of tasks set by President of Uzbekistan to raise the rate of salaries and other payments for 2.5 times until 2010 the draft of the State budget envisages allotment of necessary budget allocations that provide for increasing of salary rates for the staff members of budget organizations, pensions, stipends and social allowances.

On the outcomes of the discussion at the Cabinet of Ministers the participants adopted a decision to approve forecasts of macro-economic indicators, main directions of tax and budget policy, draft of State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2009 and submit them for consideration by the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.