Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 30 released his election manifesto at the Liberal Democratic Party congress.

Sustainable economic growth that gives Uzbekistan the status of a country with "above average" incomes is one key pledge, with Mirziyoyev targeting $160bn in gross domestic product, twice what was recorded in 2022. GDP per capita would grow from $2,200 to $4,000 if the target was hit.

Mirziyoyev also envisaged exports as doubling to $45bn a year. Membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which Uzbekistan is pursuing, would help facilitate the big trade expansion.

Mirziyoyev also outlined goals for Uzbekistan’s automotive industry. It would become more competitive thanks to the launch of joint ventures with four foreign manufacturers, according to his programme, posted on the Liberal Democratic Party’s website.

Vehicle output would reach 1mn units per year, including 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs) if everything went to plan.

Accelerating the introduction of green energy, with renewable energy sources expanded to a capacity of 25 GW and a 40% share in total power generation, is also included in the manifesto.

The Mirziyoyev programme provides for a gradual increase in the private sector’s share in the economy to 85%. In parallel, due to privatisation, the number of enterprises in which the state has holdings would be reduced by six times.

The incumbent is also intent on seeing monopolistic industries switched to market principles. Railway transportation, construction and the management of highways, gas and electricity supplies would be transferred to the private sector.

Another objective is increasing the number of private airlines to 10. At the same time, the number of regular domestic flights would increase fourfold.

Addressing the need to support business with favourable conditions, the programme proposes strictly guaranteed income tax, turnover tax, property tax and VAT rates. They would not be increased for seven years.

Following the re-election of Mirziyoyev, officials would also set out to cut the number of state-owned banks to three, namely Milliybank, Halqbank and Agrobank.

On May 8, Mirziyoyev declared that an early presidential election will take place on July 9. The  new Constitution, introduced following a referendum, calls for the reform of all branches of power. The snap election will be held in a context where there are ongoing reforms in the social, economic and political spheres.

The president will be elected for a seven-year term of office. A constitutional limit of two consecutive presidential terms will apply. However, with the new Constitution, came a resetting of the term limits that applied to the incumbent. Though Mirziyoyev has been elected to two terms under the old Constitution, under the new Constitution he is entitled to two more presidential terms.