Increasing investment, reducing poverty and unemployment will be a priority in Bukhara

On November 29, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting dedicated to identifying additional opportunities, increasing investment inflows and creating jobs in the Bukhara region, the press service of the head of our state reports.

Previously, the economy of this region was mainly associated with agriculture. However, over the past seven years, over $4 billion in investment has been attracted to the region, which has allowed the development of such industries as energy, electrical engineering, chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, textile and leather production. Over the past period of this year, 1.5 million foreign tourists have visited Bukhara.

The visit of head of state to the region from May 31 to June 1 gave a new impetus to its development. All the tasks outlined during it will be fully completed by the end of the year.

At the same time, it is important to ensure further growth of economic indicators in 2025, increase employment and welfare of the population. To this end, the working group studied additional opportunities in the region and factors hindering the development of entrepreneurship.

At the meeting, which was held in a critical manner, it was noted that the region’s economic indicators do not match its potential. Work on developing investments, reducing poverty and unemployment was recognized as unsatisfactory.

In this regard, khokims, their deputies and sector heads will switch to an emergency mode of operation for a period of six months. All attention will be focused on improving these three areas. Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of 70 driver projects based on the experience of Saykhunobod, Uychi, Zarbdar and Gijduvan. They will provide income to 150 thousand people and lift 40 thousand people out of poverty.

As noted, each district of the region can be specialized in a certain industry. For example, Peshku and Shafirkan – for the production of building materials and textiles, the city of Kagan, Alat and Jondor districts – for the food industry, and Gijduvan and Romitan – for the chemical industry. This will enable entrepreneurs to implement projects worth $150 million, create 411 small businesses and provide 12,000 jobs.

Four textile factories worth $320 million are planned to be built in Vabkent, Karakul, Jondor and Alat. This will double the volume of finished knitwear and textile products and create 5,000 jobs.

Next year, the number of foreign tourists is expected to reach 2.2 million, and the volume of exports of tourism services is expected to reach $600 million. This will be facilitated by the opening of 69 new hotels and 2,000 craft shops and stores.

It is planned to develop an additional 20,000 hectares of land, which will allow growing an additional 100,000 tons of agricultural products and providing employment for 2,000 people. Trees and food crops will be planted on the free lands of household plots, along canals and field edges.

Another opportunity is pastures. In the Bukhara region, their area exceeds 2 million hectares. As part of the decisions taken at a recent meeting on the development of fruit and vegetable growing, it is planned to grow pistachios on unused pastures.

The Khokim of the Bukhara region presented plans for using these opportunities. In general, next year, 106 projects are planned to be implemented, 105 thousand permanent jobs will be created, and exports will increase by 350 million dollars due to foreign investments in the amount of 2 billion dollars.

The head of state pointed out the inadequacy of these plans, gave instructions to intensify efforts and improve results. The instructions were given to review the proposals again and submit a draft of the relevant resolution.