only produce 90 to 92 % of all agricultural products but are also turning into a powerful socio-political force fostering the rural development . The real proof of the increasingly growing welfare of the people is the fact that in comparison with 1990 , when a significant part of the needs of the population in food products , primarily grain , potatoes , meat , dairy and confectionery products , satisfied by imports - currently 96 percent of the necessary foodstuffs produced in Uzbekistan .
Development of SME
The share of small business and private entrepreneurship - sector , which before independence was practically absent in the country - now account for over 56 percent of GDP . At the present more than 76,5 percent of all employed are busy in this sector of the economy against 49,7 percent in 2000 . Gaining the independence , Uzbekistan has put the task of formation of socially-oriented market economy . There is ensured strict following the principle “ Reforms – not for the sake of reforms , but first of all for human being ”. The state allocates significant funds for realization of this policy . If in 1990 only 31 percent of expenses have been sent for financing social spheres , nowadays this indicator made 60 percent . As result average life expectancy increased from 67 years to 73.5 years . Achievements of Uzbekistan are widely recognized in the international arena . In particular , according to the rating of authoritative World Economic Forum , Uzbekistan is among 5 countries with the fastest growing economy in the world by the end of 2014-2015 and forecasts of growth for 2016-2017 . In another instance , the World Happiness Report , a landmark survey conducted by Columbia University sociologists with assistance from the United Nations Organizations , ranks Uzbekistan 44th globally and first in the CIS . Since the gaining of independence in 1991 foreign policy of Uzbekistan is shaped taking into consideration the dynamically changing international political realities which demand implementation of an active , initiative and pragmatic foreign policy course , timely and adequate response to emerging challenges . During the last 25 years was established mutually beneficial cooperation with the world community . To date is established diplomatic relations with 133 countries of the world . In 2016 we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Florence Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU . During this period , we have accumulated a lot of luggage of legal and institutional relations , which are an important platform for dialogue to strengthen constructive cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU , not only today but for the future . Thus , independence opened new horizons of development to the Uzbek people for the revival of national statehood and self-awareness of their rights and values , customs and traditions of our holy religion , glorification of bright names of our great ancestors , the formation of a healthy and harmonious development of the younger generation . Confidently moving forward on the chosen course , as a main target Uzbekistan is puts the entry into the ranks of developed democratic countries with steadily developing a diversified economy , high level and quality of life . At the same time the basic guide for Uzbekistan is to bring the level of income above the average world indexes . For the achieving of this goal Uzbekistan has everything , first of all , hard-working people , economic , social and natural resources , and sustainable stability in the country , which together forms the basis of success of the country . I hope that this special edition allows readers to be acquainted with the processes which are taking place in modern Uzbekistan and see the advances that have been achieved during the 25 years of its independent development .
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