02.05.2025

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.