Integrated development priorities and large-scale investment plans are outlined in Kashkadarya region

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting at which strategic tasks for the integrated development of Kashkadarya region were identified. During the discussion, the Head of state focused on the key areas of transformation of the region's economy and social sphere.

The President noted the positive changes in the region and stressed that the scale of the ongoing reforms requires a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground. According to him, even a week is not enough to fully get acquainted with the state of affairs in one district.

Eight years ago, the region's industry was mainly concentrated in the oil and gas and chemical industries. Today, thanks to the growth of the electrical, construction, textile and furniture industries, their share in regional industrial output has reached 54%.

The President called on managers to take more active initiative and work proactively without waiting for instructions from above. He recalled the instructions given this week on the transition to proactive management. According to the head of state, the region still has an untapped economic potential of at least $15 billion. The implementation of a third of this amount in the form of investment projects will increase the gross regional product over $10 billion over five years. A regional reform headquarters will be set up to coordinate the work.

Among the examples of the results achieved, the head of state cited the Kukdalinsky district, where 120 km of irrigation channels, 210 km of power lines were built, 605 km of roads were repaired, 19 schools, 22 kindergartens and 5 polyclinics were put into operation in three years. The number of industrial enterprises has tripled to 220. More than 200 projects worth $180 million have been implemented in Miraki, and 2,000 jobs have been created. Yakkabag has 54 multi-storey buildings, a modern market and a shopping and entertainment center.

A multi-specialty private clinic worth $10 million was opened in Shakhrisabz. The President noted the importance of creating similar medical institutions in each district, for which the state is ready to allocate $140 million.

Among the priorities is the effective use of land potential. The region has 515 thousand hectares of irrigated land and 45 thousand hectares of gardens and homesteads, as well as 1.3 million hectares of pastures and forests. In 2023, agricultural production amounted to 43 trillion soums. The President stressed that due to the introduction of modern agricultural technologies and energy-saving solutions, this figure can be increased to 100 trillion soums in five years.

For the development of pastures and forest lands, a specialized company is created in the form of a joint-stock company. At the first stage, it will be allocated $100 million, while it is planned to attract another $500 million in investment. Within two years, it is planned to develop at least 200 thousand hectares of land using water-saving technologies.

A program of integrated development of animal husbandry is being launched in the region. Farmers will receive loans at 14% for up to 12 months. It is planned to bring the capacity of 127 farms to full volume and support 630 farmers to increase the number of livestock by 12 thousand heads of livestock. The program will be funded by $150 million raised from international financial institutions.