At the beginning of his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the recent elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan, and the Local Councils of People’s Deputies were held in the spirit of democratic principles and expressed gratitude to citizens for their active participation in them.
The region, named after the great ancestor – Alisher Navoi, should become an example of spiritual education and enlightenment. In this context, the Head of state proposed declaring 2025 the Year of Alisher Navoi in the region. As part of this initiative, a national competition and Navoi readings will be held, books for young people will be published, and films based on the poet’s works will be shot. A majestic monument and museum will be built in the town of New Navoi.
In terms of the economy, indicators and plans were analyzed in detail. Over the past seven years, 6.5 thousand projects worth $8 billion have been implemented in Navoi, creating an added value of 27 trillion UZS. The number of entrepreneurs has tripled. During this time, the region’s economy moved from ninth to third place and reached 82 trillion UZS. This year, 577 projects worth $2.2 billion will be implemented, creating 10,000 high-income jobs.
However, there are still significant development opportunities. Navoi region is located in the country’s center and has rich natural resources, developed infrastructure, and high human potential. The region contains 20 percent of Uzbekistan’s mineral resources, estimated at more than $5 trillion. This allows us to meet the requirements of any investor.
The region produces industrial products worth more than 100 trillion UZS annually. Its per capita income ranks second in the country, which creates great opportunities for the development of local entrepreneurship, trade, services, catering, and tourism.
The region produces 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, and wind and solar power plants with a total capacity of 5.2 gigawatts will soon be commissioned. This will ensure the uninterrupted operation of new industrial and service enterprises.
In this context, the question was raised about how effectively the regional hokim, hokims of 11 cities and districts, government organizations and banks, and the “mahalla of seven” in 330 mahallas use these opportunities.
In 2025, it is planned to attract $3.7 billion in foreign investment to the region, which will allow opening 600 new enterprises and creating 15 thousand high-income jobs. These projects will contribute to the development of not only Navoi, but also adjacent regions.
In accordance with the new law “On Subsoil,” a new system will be introduced, according to which all deposits of strategic resources will undergo international assessment. The Ministry of Mining and Geology regional office will be created in the Navoi region. Now, the department will independently resolve licensing issues, issue permits, and put deposits up for auction.
The Zarafshan and Oqdaryo rivers, 256 kilometers of streams, and more than 2 thousand kilometers of canals pass through the region. It was ordered to build small hydroelectric power plants on them. $10 million will be allocated for this, and the hydroelectric power plants will be transferred to entrepreneurs based on industrial mortgages.
Next year, the task is to attract 500 thousand foreign tourists to Navoi and increase the volume of export of services to $150 million. The possibilities of creating trade and service points from lightweight structures along the roads were also noted.
Particular attention was paid to employment issues at the meeting. The region has 16 thousand low-income families and more than 8 thousand unemployed citizens. It was noted that using additional potential in the economic sectors makes it possible to ensure their employment. The employment and social protection systems have been set a goal to bring 16 thousand families out of poverty within a year.
It was emphasized that food reserves must be created and markets provided daily to stabilize prices. In this context, agriculture plays an important role, but only 100,000 hectares of irrigated land are cultivated in Navoi, 72 percent of which are irrigated using pumps. Despite 9 million hectares of pastures, the number of livestock is small.
Next year, it is planned to bring seeds and technology from Türkiye and China to increase cotton yields to 70 centners, renew 7 thousand hectares of orchards and vineyards, and prepare all irrigated lands for sowing 10 thousand hectares of sunflower as a secondary crop. Seeds of forage, medicinal plants, and spices will be scattered by drones over pastures and distributed among 50 thousand residents. In total, 3 million hectares of pastures will be improved in three years, and the number of livestock will increase 10 times.
Issues related to infrastructure were also touched upon. Due to the city’s rapid population growth of Zarafshan, its territory will be expanded by 2,000 hectares at the expense of the Tomdi district to create conditions for 150 thousand residents.
In the city of Zarafshan, Uchkuduk, and Tomdi districts, 200 thousand people live. Many foreign investors also come here. For their convenience, it was proposed to use the airport in Zarafshan and lay additional power lines to New Tomdi village to increase the number of entrepreneurial projects.
Tasks have been set to renovate 18 old schools and drinking water supply systems in remote areas, build kindergartens and schools, and improve the population’s health. It is necessary to train 9 thousand women interested in entrepreneurship in professions and provide employment.
Preparation for the autumn/winter season and the Green Space Program implementation were also considered.
Responsible persons, heads of districts and industries, presented information to the regional activists and the population about the expected results this year and plans for the following year.
The leadership of Karakalpakstan and all regions joined the meeting via video link. The responsible persons confirmed that their regions also have opportunities to implement the directions specified in Navoi region, stating that they will draw the appropriate conclusions and direct all efforts to improve efficiency. In particular, measures were announced to accelerate projects in industry, construction, agriculture, tourism, and services to develop the regional economy and ensure population employment by promoting entrepreneurship and career guidance. Plans were defined for the rest of the year and the following year.
Thereupon, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev completed his visit to Navoi region.
