WNAM MONITORING: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on measures for socio-economic development and further improvement of Fergana region’s investment climate and business environment.
Attention to the regional economy is opening up new opportunities in Fergana. Over the past seven years, industrial enterprises have increased almost threefold to 13,000, and investment projects have created 116,000 jobs.
The trip of the Head of state in July this year gave a new impetus to the development of the economy. Over 10 months of this year, the volume of foreign investment amounted to $1.5 billion, and regional exports – $910 million.
It is necessary to maintain the pace and increase the number of investments, jobs, and export volumes next year. At the meeting, the President pointed out specific opportunities in this direction.
Recently, the Kokand Free Economic Zone was expanded by 210 hectares due to the city of Quvasoy. This territory can accommodate 185 projects worth $1 billion and create about 12 thousand jobs. Also, the organization of a technopark on 71 hectares in Kokand at the first stage will allow the creation of enterprises worth $900 million and 5 thousand jobs.
Investment agreements worth $1 billion have been reached with Chinese businesspeople and $240 million with South Korea. To implement them, it is necessary to create industrial zones in the districts and cities of the region with an area of 1,210 hectares. Future enterprises will employ 30 thousand people, including representatives of low-income families.
Construction of a trade and logistics center has begun in Beshariq district. It will be turned into a free trade zone like the one in Termez, and stores will be rented out to entrepreneurs. As a result, $50 million will be added to the region’s exports, and the number of jobs will increase by 2 thousand. Such a complex can also be built in the city of Quvasoy.
There are also great opportunities in agriculture. In Fergana, the population has 91 thousand hectares of land at its disposal, along roads and at the edges of fields, in water and forest resources. It is necessary to use them effectively and increase the production and processing of products.
For example, 6,000 tons of raspberries are grown annually in 15 mahallas of Fergana region. An entrepreneur proposed increasing the added value by 2.5 times by organizing the storage, processing, and packaging of raspberries if land is provided in the nearby area. Another enterprising entrepreneur wants to rent forest land in Sokh and grow ferula on 800 hectares and saffron on 50 hectares.
By laying 9 kilometers of pipes to two pumping stations in Oltiariq and increasing their capacity, an intensive garden of 1,400 hectares can be created. An additional 55 thousand tons of export-oriented fruits will be grown on this territory.
At the meeting, the Hokim of Fergana region presented his plans for using such opportunities. In particular, it is planned to attract $3.7 billion in investments next year and increase exports to $1.5 billion. The task is to provide employment for 500 thousand citizens and lift 22 thousand families out of poverty.
The Head of state instructed to finalize these proposals and prepare a resolution on the development of the regional economy. The need to create all conditions for exporters, promote employment, and reduce unemployment was emphasized. The importance of increasing the responsibility of hokims and other officials in this area was noted.
