Uzbek food industry plans to double exports by 2020

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Food industry of Uzbekistan is planning to increase the volume of exports twice by 202 and decrease imports of products by 80%.

In 2016-2020, the Uzbek food industry plans to implement 300 new large investment projects for US$410 million.

Along with large investment projects, it is planned to realize 5,000 regional development projects for US$500 million, which will allow to produce additional 100,000 industrial goods and 10,000 new jobs, mainly in rural areas.

During last 24 years, share of food industry in industrial production of Uzbekistan rose significantly and reached about 17%.

There are over 10,000 enterprises, working in food industry. The share of small businesses in the sector rose from 16.5% in 2011 to 40% now.

This year, the food industry plans to use investments for US$55.4 million. Within the territorial programmes, it is planned to implement 983 projects for 389.8 billion soums and create over 10,5000 new jobs.