Born in Jizzakh region and Prime Minister for thirteen years before taking office, he has presided over a programme of economic opening and the removal of several long-standing Soviet-era restrictions.
Key achievements
Oversaw the floating of the som in 2017, unifying the exchange rate
Abolished exit visas in 2019 and extended visa-free entry to over ninety countries
Presided over reforms that ended systemic forced labour in the cotton harvest