OREANDA-NEWS. February 09, 2011. The session of the Joqargy Kenes (Supreme Council) of Karakalpakstan held in Nukus considered the results of the region’s development in 2010 and tasks for the year 2011.

It was noted at the session that the gross regional product of Karakalpakstan increased by 10% last year, industrial production by 9.4%, consumer goods production by 9.2%, agricultural production by 7%, retail trade by 21.3% and service sector by 10.5%.

The share of small businesses and private entrepreneurs in the region’s economy reached 63.6%, more than doubling over the past 10 years from 26.9% in 2000.

Over 48,300 new workplaces were created in 2010 in Karakalpakstan, of which 75% were in the small business and farming sectors.

In Karauzak district, construction of the cement plant is continuing. The plant is expected to produce 1 million tons of cement per year.

At Surgil deposit on the Ustyurt plateau, construction of the gas-chemical complex will start soon. The complex will have a capacity to process 4 billion cubic meters of gas annually.

Nukus Textile, Turtkul Asaka Textile, Astra Textile, Khojayli Textile and Amudaryo Textile companies are undergoing modernization.