 The remittances have allowed Tashkömür residents to retain a decent standard of living.In recent years, many have used the money to renovate their homes, to buy DVD players and satellite dishes, or to open stores, and try to start a business.As Uzbekistan has made it more difficult and expensive for goods to be exported south into, and through Uzbekistan, Tashkömür's major opening to the outside world has been severed and in turn, its ability to export any goods it might manufacture has dropped.