Proposals for the development of the Samarkand region have been presented

On November 20, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on measures for the socio-economic development of the Samarkand region and improving the well-being of the population, the press service of the head of our state reports.

The region is located in the center of our country, it has well-developed trade, industry, tourism, transport and agricultural sectors. The tasks set during the visit of the head of our state in August 2023 are being consistently implemented.

Now it is necessary to reach new milestones. For this purpose, meetings were held with the population and entrepreneurs, the possibility of implementing 120 projects worth 4.1 billion dollars was determined. In particular, next year, within the framework of regional programs, it is planned to master investments in the Samarkand region in the amount of 1 billion 850 million dollars, create 20 thousand jobs and additionally produce products worth 1.2 trillion soums.

For example, in the village of ‘‘Chimboyobod’’ in the Pastdargom district, a special industrial zone can be created on 234 hectares of land in the khokimiyat reserve. Entrepreneurs have expressed their willingness to invest $500 million in it and launch projects in the fields of pharmaceuticals, chemistry, electrical engineering, construction materials and the food industry.

If 25 hectares of rocky land around the Zarafshan River are included in the ‘‘Urgut’’ free economic zone, this will allow implementing projects worth $30 million. It is also planned to implement projects worth 500 billion soums at the first stage, which provide for the organization of a 35-kilometer tourist route along the Dargom canal and a gastronomic bridge on the Narpay canal.

It is necessary to turn pastures and dry lands in the region into an economic asset. For example, in the Samarkand region, it is possible to create a tourist and recreational zone on 350 hectares of dry land, accommodate a thousand entrepreneurs and create 3.5 thousand jobs.

The soil and climate of Bulungur are favorable for fruit and vegetable growing. If 6 thousand hectares of inefficient grain areas in the region are specialized in growing fruit and vegetable products, the income from each hectare will exceed 10 thousand dollars, 45 thousand people will be employed. Half of the products will be exported, which will provide additional export revenue of 52 million dollars.

Residents of Ishtykhan, Urgut, Payaryk and Koshrabota grow grapes on 35 thousand hectares. However, the yield is low due to the lack of skills in planting high-yielding varieties, disease control and the use of new agricultural practices. In this regard, it was proposed to create an experimental station of the Scientific Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture in Ishtykhan. It will be used to grow seedlings using the in vitro method and cultivate such popular grape varieties as ‘‘Giant’’, ‘‘Sirliboi’’, ‘‘Avatar’’. As a result, the yield will increase by 25-30 centners, and exports – by 20 million dollars.

It is also possible to open enterprises for processing minerals based on deposits in Koshrabot, Ishtykhan, Nurabad, Pastdargom, Pakhtachi and Urgut.

At the meeting, the khokim of the Samarkand region presented measures to implement untapped opportunities.

The head of state approved these proposals and instructed to introduce a resolution to improve the investment climate and business environment in the Samarkand region. Instructions were given on the placement of projects based on the master plan, the creation of even more jobs and modern housing, and improving the well-being of the population.