Priority tasks for the integrated development of the Surkhandarya region were discussed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the socioeconomic development of the Surkhandarya region, the press service of the head of our state reports.

– Surkhandarya is not only a picturesque region, but also a land of people with a strong spirit, high initiative, and a strong sense of dignity. The development of Surkhandarya strengthens the southern pillar of the New Uzbekistan, – the head of state noted at the beginning of his speech.

Over the past period, over 8,000 projects worth a total of $5 billion have been commissioned in the region. Investment and trade agreements worth an additional $10 billion have been reached with China, the United States, Russia, India, Austria, Hungary, and other countries.

Over the past nine years, preschool enrollment has increased from 28 to 68 percent. Twenty-three new schools have been built, and another 448 have been renovated. An additional 102,000 student places have been created. During this period, 32,000 families received housing in 688 apartment buildings. Yangi Uzbekistan communities have been established in the Angor, Baysun, Jarkurgan, Saryasi, and Termez districts.

The “Tupalang Reservoir Water Utilization” project has improved the drinking water supply for 563,000 residents of Termez and ten districts.

At the meeting, it was noted that the regional and district khokims face the current year’s goals of increasing investment to $3 billion and exports to $1 billion. The importance of reducing poverty to 2.8 percent and unemployment to 4.5 percent, as well as transforming Termez, Angor, Denau, Jarkurgan, Kyzyryk, and Muzrabat into areas free of poverty and unemployment, was emphasized.

The share of industry in the region’s economy has increased fivefold over the past nine years, reaching 10 percent; however, this figure remains insufficient. To further increase industrial production, the need to accelerate the development of deposits was emphasized.

Coal production has been ordered to begin at the Sanjar deposit in Baysun and the Oksuv deposit in Altynsay this year, and at the Fangart deposit next year. The South African company Sosol has expressed interest in producing polypropylene, polyethylene, and rubber from coal. Chinese investors are prepared to invest $1 billion in the Karakon, Zhemsonit, Chukur, and Bayram-1 deposits in Saryasi. It was noted that natural stone reserves remain unexplored at the Bezaktop deposit in Baysun. The task has been set to begin the necessary work on these sites.

The performance of the International Trade Center in Termez was particularly noted. Last year, over 800,000 Afghan citizens visited it, and exports amounted to $320 million.

It was decided to expand the center’s territory to 1,000 hectares. It was emphasized that the implementation of new projects will significantly increase the scale of entrepreneurial activity and customer traffic. To ensure the rule of law, a special prosecutor’s office and a department of the internal affairs agencies will be established within the center.

It was also noted that trade in goods and services within the center will be assessed as exports and subject to a zero value-added tax rate.

Speaking about agricultural opportunities, the President emphasized that the region’s 35,000 hectares of private plots produce crops three to four times a year—a figure unmatched in any other region.

The President emphasized the need to disseminate the positive experience of the “School of Private Gardening” in the Termez District throughout the region. Instructions were given to establish similar schools in the Angor, Uzun, and Denau Districts, and to launch two “innovative schools of private gardening” in each region of the country.

It was noted that greenhouse production in Surkhandarya is two to three times cheaper than in other regions. This year, based on the experience of Almeria, Spain, plans are underway to build solar-heated greenhouses on 1,000 hectares. Entrepreneurs building such greenhouses will receive free land leases for five years, and groundwater fees will be exempted for three years.

It was emphasized that pastures are another significant resource in the region. In particular, Boysun has 197,000 hectares of pasture. If pumps on the Darband River are restored and water supply is restored, it will be possible to open 10,000 hectares of pastures for use.

It was noted that the starting price at auctions for the development of reserve pastures will be set at 1 percent of the standard value. Entrepreneurs who purchase land at auction will receive a 10-year loan with a four-year grace period at 14 percent. A subsidy of up to 120 million soums is also provided for connecting water to every 10 hectares.

Measures have been identified for implementing projects in the poultry, livestock, and beekeeping sectors.

It was noted that greenhouse production in Surkhandarya is two to three times cheaper than in other regions. This year, based on the experience of Almeria, Spain, plans are underway to build solar-heated greenhouses on 1,000 hectares. Entrepreneurs building such greenhouses will receive free land leases for five years, and groundwater fees will be exempted for three years.

It was emphasized that pastures are another significant resource in the region. In particular, Boysun has 197,000 hectares of pasture. If pumps on the Darband River are restored and water supply is restored, it will be possible to open 10,000 hectares of pastures for use.

It was noted that the starting price at auctions for the development of reserve pastures will be set at 1 percent of the standard value. Entrepreneurs who purchase land at auction will receive a 10-year loan with a four-year grace period at 14 percent. A subsidy of up to 120 million soums is also provided for connecting water to every 10 hectares.

Measures for implementing projects in the poultry, livestock, and beekeeping sectors have been identified.

It was emphasized that road and transport infrastructure remains one of the region’s most pressing issues. A project is currently underway to pave 111 kilometers of the road connecting Baysun and Denau with cement concrete. Once the road is completed, freight traffic is expected to double, and transportation time will be reduced from three hours to 1.5 hours.

This year, major repairs will begin on the 178-kilometer highway connecting our country with Afghanistan and Tajikistan, adapting the Tashguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan section for high-speed train service, and electrifying the Kumkurgan-Kudukli railway. New flights are planned between Termez and Istanbul and Termez and Dubai.

New buses will also be introduced, primarily on the routes from Shurchi, Denau, Saryasiy, Sherabad, and Baysun to Termez.

It was reported that the project to provide Muzrabat with centralized drinking water for its 56,000 residents, the first ever, will be completed by the end of the year. Projects to connect sewerage systems to the centers of Muzrabat, Altynsay, Angor, Kyzyryk, and Baysun will begin.

It was noted that a scientific solution to a technologically complex problem at the large “25th Anniversary of Independence” gas processing complex had been found in collaboration with partners.

– We will stop the accident and simultaneously launch a project that will give a powerful boost to the economy of Surkhandarya, – the President said.

The head of state also highlighted the region’s tourism potential.

It was noted that the region boasts over 150 cultural heritage sites, including the Al-Hakim at-Termezi, Sultan Saodat, Kokildor Ota, and Kyrkkyz complexes. The Gissar, Baysuntag, Kuhitang, and Babatag mountains offer excellent opportunities for mountaineering, trekking, and ecotourism. Fully exploiting this potential could generate up to $1 billion in annual tourism revenue.

It was emphasized that the Eski Termez monument has not yet been fully explored. Developing tourism around the Buddhist cultural monuments of Fayaztepa, Karatepa, Dalvarzin, and Zurmala could attract up to 500,000 tourists per year from Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand.

It was noted that over 8,000 young people in Surkhandarya regularly practice kurash. This year, a modern training facility for wrestlers has been commissioned to be built at the Zamondosh camp in Denau. A program combining sports and general education should be organized at the Boysun boarding school starting next academic year.

During the meeting, a dialogue was held with regional leaders, young people, and older people, and reports were presented by khokims and responsible officials. The President gave instructions to ensure strict oversight of the implementation of assigned tasks and the achievement of specific results in each area.