Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s victory will allow him to deepen his successful reform campaign and is likely to further open Uzbekistan to foreign trade and investment, Reuters writes.

Shortly after polling stations closed at 20:00, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Zayniddin Nizamkhodjayev informed at the briefing that voter turnout had reached 89.8%, more than the 87.7% recorded in 2016, when Mirziyoyev was first elected President.

Mirziyoyev promised to reduce poverty through rapid economic growth and gradually decentralize the decision-making process, transferring some powers to District Councils.

Reuters also notes that Mirziyoyev has improved Uzbekistan’s ties with both Russia and Western countries.

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