Ferghana Launches Construction Materials Foresight Office

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A Foresight Office for the Construction Materials Industry has been established in Uzbekistan's Ferghana Region to analyse market trends, forecast the sector's development and prepare recommendations for businesses and government agencies.

The project was implemented jointly by the Institute of Macroeconomic and Territorial Studies and Ferghana State Technical University. To support the practical development of the initiative, international expert in strategic innovation and artificial intelligence Samer Shidiac was invited to the region.

Shidiac serves as Head of AI-Driven Innovation and Transformation at QF5.

He previously worked as Regional Director and Innovation Lead at Microsoft, headed the Microsoft Technology and Innovation Center for the Middle East and Africa, and led the Dubai Government's Innovation and Future Shaping Centre.

Ferghana Regional Governor Khayrullo Bozorov met with the expert to discuss innovative economic development, the adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and the introduction of a foresight approach in the construction materials industry.

The new office will become the region's first specialised platform for continuous monitoring of developments in the construction materials market, analysing technological, economic and investment trends, preparing forecasts and developing research-based recommendations.

During Shidiac's visit, a training seminar entitled "Towards a Future-Ready Economy: New Opportunities and Strategic Approaches" was held for representatives of construction industry companies in the Ferghana Region.

Participants discussed how businesses can adapt to future changes and improve their readiness for emerging challenges.

The expert also visited the Situation Centre under the Ferghana City Hokimiyat, reviewed artificial intelligence-based projects, met with residents of Ferghana Digital Hub and visited Crown Ceramic, where prospects for the development of the construction materials industry were discussed.

A masterclass on the practical application of foresight methods was also held for members of a special working group on the development of the sector.

During the events, participants noted that resource-efficient and moisture-resistant materials, low-carbon cement and concrete, self-healing construction materials, 3D construction technologies and solutions designed to reduce environmental impact are gradually becoming key areas of development for the construction industry.