Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Khorezm – crossroads of the glorious past and new reforms

On May 2, a meeting dedicated to the priority tasks of socio-economic development of Khorezm region was held in Urgench district.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Khorezm is a crossroads where the glorious history of our people and new reforms converge.

Despite remoteness from logistics chains and limited natural resources, last year can be called the year of small and medium business for the region. In 2024, 7 thousand new entrepreneurs started their activities in the region, 47 enterprises moved from the category of small to medium-sized, 1 700 enterprises resumed their work. As a result, 290 thousand people got jobs during the year.

Nevertheless, there are still many pressing problems. The poverty rate in the region is still about 12 percent, the number of unemployed is 45 thousand people. In this regard, it was noted that khokims and their deputies should turn every opportunity into a feasible project, create new jobs, develop industry, services, tourism, agriculture and export potential.

The Head of State outlined the existing opportunities and measures for their effective utilization.

For example, the total export potential of tourism in the country is estimated at $10 billion, of which $2 billion can be provided by Khorezm. However, this potential is not fully utilized. There are 263 objects of cultural heritage in the region. They can be turned into tourist locations in cooperation with entrepreneurs, which will generate additional income and create new jobs. Funding will be allocated to attract foreign archaeologists to study and restore historical sites.

In Khorezm more than 40 areas of craftsmanship are actively developing and tourists are especially interested in the process of making products.

The development of catering establishments is also important. The President emphasized the need to support restaurateurs promoting national cuisine abroad. The state will partially compensate the costs associated with the registration, authorization and management of Uzbek cuisine restaurants abroad.

The issues of increasing hotel beds and transportation routes, creating new entertainment and thematic spaces, training guides and waiters were also discussed.

In general, the task for the current year is to implement 91 projects worth $200 million, create 100 thousand jobs in tourism and services. It is planned to attract 2 million foreign and 10 million domestic tourists and increase tourism exports to $700 million.

There are also great opportunities in the economic sphere. This year, it is planned to ensure no less than 6 percent economic growth in Khorezm and bring the gross regional product to 60 trillion soums. 265 thousand people will be employed and 104 thousand will be lifted out of poverty.

Under the privatization program, 41 state-owned buildings and 350 hectares of land will be put up for auction in the region in 2025 - this creates huge opportunities for the development of services, tourism and manufacturing.

Over the past eight years, the furniture industry in Khorezm has grown 3 times. A furniture industrial zone has been established in Khonka district on 10 hectares. Designers, marketers and engineering technologists from abroad will be attracted for further development of the industry. It has also been instructed to develop a special program to support the furniture industry as a whole.

In the current difficult conditions in the world, those countries that attract innovations and investments win. Large-scale plans are envisaged in this field in Khorezm as well: 12 large and 480 regional projects worth $900 million will be implemented this year. Production of 65 types of products and 5 types of equipment will be localized, the volume of localization will reach 1.7 trillion soums. It is planned to attract $1.5 billion of foreign direct investment and export products worth $510 million.

Thus, in Koshkupyr district, an Uzbek-Chinese technopark is being created on 175 hectares, within the framework of which 16 investment projects worth $1 billion will be implemented.

In Tuprakkala, the first stage of construction of a $10 billion gas-chemical complex will begin. 2 million tons of 14 types of polymer products with high added value will be produced there annually.

There are 663 enterprises producing construction materials in the region, and this industry is becoming one of the drivers of the region. Support will be provided for the realization of the products of these enterprises, 40 new projects worth $100 million will be launched.

A Slovak company is implementing a $170 million project in Tuprakkala to grow rapeseed and produce bioethanol.

In agriculture, 56 projects worth $60 million will be launched. In addition, 3,400 hectares of land will be put into turnover and 1,200 hectares of industrial type gardens will be created.

Together with Austrian company Bauer, sprinkler irrigation will be introduced on 7.5 thousand hectares. Ready-to-use installations will be leased to farmers for 10 years at 2.5 percent per annum in soums.

Farmers of Khorezm, in an effort to reduce the cost of production, are installing modern autopilots on tractors, which allows for more accurate sowing. It is noted that such initiatives will be supported by soft loans.

In the region, where access to water resources is difficult, 21 percent of all pumping stations in the country are located. It was emphasized that installation of solar panels will significantly reduce electricity costs.

Measures have been outlined to develop fish farming, milk processing and alternative crops in the fields.

Construction projects are envisaged to improve the living standards of the population: 200 apartment buildings for 7 thousand apartments will be built this year, 1,500 kilometers of roads and 20 bridges will be reconstructed. This work will ensure employment of 20 thousand people.

Particular attention will be paid to the development of social sphere. Access to high-tech medical services will be expanded, coverage of dual education for students of technical schools and universities will be increased, youth support in employment will be strengthened.

In conclusion of the meeting, information on the plans of implementing these measures was reported by the responsible people.

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The Head of our state got acquainted with the activities of new enterprises of the “Urganch cluster” textile cluster in Khorezm region.

Five years have passed since the launch of the cluster. Today it represents a full vertically integrated system covering all stages – from cotton growing to sewing ready-made clothes. The enterprises of the cluster employ 3 thousand people.

The cluster processes all cotton volume grown on 8,5 thousand hectares of land. For this purpose the cotton-cleaning and oil-treatment factories are operating in the cluster.

In the recent years the spinning and weaving capacities have been significantly increased. At the expense of additional investments two more new enterprises have been launched, with modern equipment from Germany, Japan and Türkiye installed.

A training and practical center has been established on the production site. It provides training for future seamstresses and designers, who then go on to work at enterprises within the cluster.

As a result, production volumes are expected to increase significantly: approximately 10,800 tons of yarn and 3 million units of garments are planned to be produced annually.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the new factories, got acquainted with the production process and finished products, and spoke with the women seamstresses working there, inquiring about their salaries and working conditions.

The majority of the high-quality clothing produced here is intended for export. The enterprise's annual export potential is around $28 million.

Recommendations were given on expanding the product range and improving product quality, increasing export volumes, and reducing production costs through energy efficiency.

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President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Regional professional skills development center, opened in the city of Urgench.

The complex was built using grant funds of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) worth $9 million. It is equipped with modern machinery and simulation systems necessary for training in high-demand professions. The center offers training in 10 areas, including automotive technical maintenance, welding, operation of lifting equipment, repair of electronic and household appliances, furniture manufacturing, hairdressing and cosmetology, mobile videography and hotel services.

On a nearly 2-hectare territory, modern educational buildings, workshops, a 64-bed dormitory and auxiliary facilities have been constructed. The institution is capable of training up to 300 students annually through six-month professional training courses.

The President got acquainted with the classrooms and spoke with young people studying in the hotel service program.

- We will bring Urgench Airport up to international level in partnership with Incheon Airport. We are building major tourist centers and hotels. And if we want more foreign tourists to come to Uzbekistan, the level of service must meet global standards. Tourists come here for our history and nature, and if the service is provided with quality, they will leave satisfied. Much depends on communication culture, ethics and staff training. So take this opportunity and master your profession. In the future, strive to become entrepreneurs yourselves, - emphasized Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The center also offers training in electric vehicle maintenance in cooperation with the Labor Migration Agency, as well as the South Korean company Hyundai, and the German SBH West. This will allow to train personnel meeting the demands of both the domestic and international labor markets.

Extensive international cooperation is developing. In January this year, the center’s administrative staff completed two-week advanced training courses in South Korea. Currently, more than 20 instructors and trainers continue their education in that country.

The Head of State underlined that the quality professional training is the basis of industrialization and overall development of the country. Instructions were given on effective use of equipment, rational organization of training shifts and expanding the coverage of youth.

With this, the President has completed his trip to Khorezm and returned to Tashkent.

Official web-site of the President of Uzbekistan