Tashkent, February 26, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a high-level meeting on February 25 to outline an ambitious strategy aimed at accelerating economic growth, job creation, and investment attraction in Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region for the year 2025.
Economic Initiatives
The Syrdarya region has demonstrated notable progress in sectors such as energy, construction, and entrepreneurship in recent years. Building upon these advancements, the President announced the establishment of industrial zones encompassing approximately 900 hectares. This initiative is projected to attract $5 billion in investments and generate over 20,000 new jobs across various districts, including Syrdarya, Shirin, Bayavut, Khavast, Mirzaabad, Gulistan, Oqoltin, and Sardoba.
Agricultural Development
Recognizing the region’s fertile soil and favorable climate, plans are underway to expand cultivation areas for crops such as potatoes, onions, raspberries, currants, and cherries. Additionally, 25,000 hectares of low-yield land across eight districts will be repurposed for rice cultivation, with policies allowing rice-producing farms to export up to 50% of their harvests.
Infrastructure and Urbanization
Addressing urban development, the President highlighted the need to replace over a thousand houses built more than half a century ago. Modern residential complexes, comprising 15,000 apartments, will be constructed, drawing inspiration from successful projects in Margilan and Dustlik districts. To support this transformation, developers will receive tax and customs incentives. An allocation of $100 million is designated for upgrading roads, power grids, housing, and irrigation infrastructure, as well as renovating educational and social facilities.
Service Sector Enhancement
Despite previous efforts, the Syrdarya region’s service sector remains underdeveloped, contributing to a poverty rate exceeding 11% and unemployment affecting 22,000 residents. To address this, the plan includes the creation of 500,000 square meters of retail and service space along major international highways intersecting the region, aiming to employ 50,000 individuals.
Leadership and Implementation
The President emphasized the critical role of proactive leadership in realizing these objectives. He called for regional leaders to actively seek new opportunities, effectively utilize internal resources, and adapt to rapidly changing global economic conditions. Proposals have been approved to expand the territories of Gulistan and Shirin cities to facilitate urbanization and economic diversification.
With these comprehensive measures, the Syrdarya region aims to attract $2 billion in investments this year, increase export volumes to $500 million, create over 16,000 new jobs, and reduce the poverty rate to 7.4%.
This strategic plan reflects President Mirziyoyev’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and improving the quality of life for residents in the Syrdarya region.
