On November 22, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting regarding the socio-economic development measures for the Surkhandarya region, aimed at improving the investment climate and business environment, as reported by the president's press service.
By 2025, it is planned to attract $2 billion in investments to the region, create jobs for 425,000 people, and increase exports to $320 million. The expansion of the international trade zone "Airitom" to 150 hectares will allow for the implementation of additional projects worth $250 million.
Chinese investors propose to invest $2.7 billion in copper-silver mines in the Babatag area and create 2,000 jobs. As a result, there will be an opportunity to export finished goods worth $600 million annually.
For the deposits located in the Vandob and Chorbog Sherabad areas, $320 million in investments are planned, which will create 1,500 jobs. A branch of the Termez Free Economic Zone is set to open on an area of 50 hectares in the Bandikhan district.
During the meeting, it was noted that there are "many untapped opportunities" in agriculture—such as the cultivation of ferula in the Baysun and Uzun districts. Providing the population with 18,000 hectares of pasture and forest land for these purposes will create jobs for 4,000 people. Similar pastures in the Uzun, Shurchi, and Kumkurgan districts can be organized into sheep-breeding and cattle-breeding complexes.
Photo: Press Service of the President
The water collected in 17 collectors in Muzrabada allows for rice cultivation on nearly 4,000 hectares. This will yield 8,500 tons of rice annually, with 400 people employed on a permanent basis and another 4,500 in seasonal work. Additionally, the establishment of greenhouses on 300 hectares in the Kyzylryk district and vineyards on 1,000 hectares in the Altynsay district is expected to yield positive economic effects.
A program will be developed in the future to improve tourism conditions in Sangardak, Amanhan, and Baysun, aiming to attract at least 1 million tourists.
At the meeting, the khokim of the Surkhandarya region presented plans to utilize such opportunities. The head of state issued instructions for the implementation of investment projects and emphasized that "every inch of land allocated for agriculture should serve to ensure employment for the population and food security."
Earlier, Spot reported that the industrial zone in the Khorezm region could be expanded to accommodate projects worth $1 billion.