President reviews reform outcomes and sets priority tasks for Tashkent region

On April 8, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting to review the effectiveness of ongoing reforms in the Tashkent region and outline priority tasks for the future.

The Head of State noted that the region’s proximity to the capital creates corresponding expectations among residents, employment, income levels, and quality of life should be comparable to those in Tashkent. In this context, it was emphasized that the region should serve as a model in improving the business environment and advancing industry, services, and agriculture.

In recent years, large-scale efforts have been undertaken in the region. In particular, 23 resolutions on regional development were adopted in 2024–2025, mobilizing significant resources from the state budget, bank loans, and foreign investment. During this period, 14 new industrial zones were established, while 115 investment projects implemented, 237 new exporters emerged, and more than 300,000 jobs were created.

Over the past year, large-scale projects have been launched in Parkent, Akhangaran, and Almalyk in the electrical, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, textile, mechanical engineering, and mining industries. Work has begun to relocate 87 environmentally harmful enterprises from the capital to the Tashkent region; to date, more than 15 textile enterprises have been relocated, creating 4,700 jobs.

Overall, in 2025, the region’s gross regional product grew by 7.1 percent, with industrial output rising by 6.6 percent, agriculture by 4.2 percent, services by 15.2 percent, and construction by 9.8 percent.

In 2026, the regional economy is projected to grow by 9.1 percent, with industry expanding by 8.8 percent, services by 17.2 percent, construction by 15 percent, and agriculture by 6.6 percent. To support these targets, $6.2 billion in investment is expected to be attracted and exports of $2.8 billion achieved.

It was noted that from now on, the potential of districts will be analyzed using artificial intelligence to identify new opportunities in industry, investment, and exports. To further enhance the effectiveness of this work, the proposal to establish a Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in the region was supported.

A new industrial management system is being introduced in the region. Performance criteria for the Deputy Hokim for Industry will include clear targets for increasing investment and exports, as well as expanding the share of finished and semi-finished products.

The task has been set this year to transform 883 makhallas into territories free from poverty and unemployment, provide permanent employment for 84,700 residents, legalize 37,000 informal jobs, while train 13,300 unemployed citizens.

A number of new projects were identified as additional drivers of industrial growth. These include ceramic and porcelain tile production in Angren and textile and knitwear manufacturing in Nurafshan. Projects are also underway to establish the Tinchlik small industrial zone in Yangiyul district, the Parkent Pharma free economic zone in Parkent, a furniture cluster along with mushroom and sweet corn production in Urtachirchik, and a fish farming complex in Yangiyul.

Agriculture and food security were also addressed.

As was noted, production volumes in livestock and poultry farming remains insufficient to meet the needs of the capital and the region. In this regard, a dedicated program will be implemented in the Akhangaran district to develop livestock farming and expand the fodder base. Plans include establishing a research and production center for sheep and goat breeding and importing 50,000 pedigree animals. A mechanism will also be introduced to allocate 60,000 hectares of pastureland through auctions.

Overall, in 2026, 78 livestock projects worth 2.1 trillion soums are set to be implemented, creating 496 new jobs. Plans also include introducing water-saving technologies on 35,000 hectares and developing new land through the establishment of orchards and vineyards.

In Akkurgan and Akhangaran districts, poultry projects worth $45 million will be implemented, with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tones of poultry meat. Returns per hectare from onions and garlic are significantly higher than from grain crops. Accordingly, a proposal was approved to gradually replace grain crops in Akhangaran with higher-yield alternatives.

The Amirsoy winter resort complex and the BeldersoyResort recreation area in Bostanlyk have become international-level tourism centres in a short period. It was noted that similar projects can be implemented in the mountainous areas of Parkent, Gazalkent, Akhangaran, and Angren. In particular, a ski resort zone will be created in Parkent around the Oltin Bel peak and its adjacent territory, including a hotel, chalet-style houses, and recreational facilities, while in Akhangaran district, a modern tourism complex will be built on the site of the Blue Mountains recreation area.

Further plans include the development of tourism villages in Lashkarak and Yangiabad in the city of Angren, eco- and hunting tourism facilities in Bekabaddistrict, the Kumushkon tourism complex in Parkentdistrict, as well as family recreation areas and guest houses in Parkentsay. Accommodation capacity is set to increase to 35,500 beds.

The task has been set to increase tourism service exports to $600 million and the number of domestic and foreign tourists to 16.5 million.

At the meeting, it was noted that 956 billion soumshave been allocated for the implementation of 231 projects in the region’s “difficult” districts, as well as in districts, cities, and mahallas under the “New Uzbekistan” program.

In particular, 39 mahallas without access to drinking water will be fully connected to centralized water supply systems, while 166.7 kilometers of water networks in 81 mahallas will be reconstructed. In addition, 121 outdated transformers in 145 mahallas will be upgraded, and 443.6 kilometers of power lines replaced.

The meeting also reviewed major social and innovative projects.

In particular, the plan to build the Tashkent Medical Smart City, a $5 billion international innovative medical complex spanning 400 hectares in Yukorichirchik district was discussed. Other projects include the establishment of a $35.4 million Center for Future Technologies in Nurafshan, expected to attract more than 100 foreign IT companies and increase service exports to $20 million annually, as well as a 670-bed multidisciplinary medical cluster, a social institutions center, and a regional state archive building.

Additionally, the current situation and future plans in areas such as public appeals, public safety, green economy development, and youth policy were reviewed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the President instructed relevant officials, together with the regional reform headquarters, to fully utilize existing potential and, on this basis, deliver tangible results in job creation, income growth, and improved living standards. It was emphasized that the key priority is to transform the Tashkent region into an area free from poverty and unemployment, setting an example for other regions.