Khorezm launches 12 projects worth US$176 million
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region has launched 12 projects worth a total of US$176 million, while construction has begun on 15 more projects with a stated value of US$7.424 billion. The project launch ceremony was held on 17 August at the Farovon Khiva Hotel in Khiva with the participation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to the presidential press service.
In recent years, the region has implemented a comprehensive development programme focused on diversifying the economy, expanding production capacity and improving the investment climate. Over the past nine years, US$7.5 billion in investment has been attracted to Khorezm region, while 9,700 new production capacities have been commissioned. More than 33 trillion soums in loans have been provided to small and medium-sized businesses during the same period.
According to data presented at the ceremony, real household incomes have doubled over this period. The share of employment in industry and construction reached 18%, while services accounted for 55%. The poverty rate fell to 4.4%, and unemployment was halved to 4.5%. At the same time, 72 mahallas became free of unemployment and poverty.
Tourism infrastructure has also expanded. Over the past nine years, 280 hotels and guesthouses have been built in the region, while the number of hotel rooms has quadrupled. Eleven new tourist facilities have been commissioned. The number of foreign tourists visiting the region has increased tenfold over the past five years.
Mirziyoyev said foreign investment attracted to Khorezm region, which stood at US$30 million in 2016, would exceed US$2 billion in 2026.
Since the beginning of this year, conditions have been created for projects in chemicals, mechanical engineering, construction materials and tourism in Urgench, Khiva, Tuproqqala and Urgench districts. The category of 195 hectares of land was changed for industrial purposes. Another 100 billion soums was allocated to improve electricity and road infrastructure.
As part of transport infrastructure development, an electrified railway line connecting Urgench International Airport with Khiva was commissioned ahead of Independence Day. A toll road between Urgench and Khiva is also being launched. It will be Uzbekistan’s first toll road, with travel time between the two cities expected to fall from 45 minutes to 20 minutes.
Among the new projects beginning in the region is the production of sustainable aviation fuel in Tuproqqala district. The US$6 billion project is being implemented jointly with partners from the United Arab Emirates with the participation of Chinese company Sinopec. Land preparation and project design work have already begun.
In cooperation with Slovak partners, 5,000 hectares of sandy land are planned to be developed and a US$170 million bioethanol production facility established. Practical work has begun on a 1,500-hectare site.
In Urgench, Japanese partners are involved in the construction of a 250-room hotel and a US$30 million shopping and entertainment complex. The project is scheduled for full completion in 2027.
Another project in the regional capital involves the construction of a modern boiler plant with a Saudi partner. It is expected to supply heat and electricity to 183 apartment buildings and 37 social facilities. An ophthalmology clinic will also be established with Turkish partners under a public-private partnership.
In Urgench district, South Korean investors are implementing a project for closed-loop waste processing and the production of green energy with a capacity of 71 MW. The project will involve US$100 million in investment.
A US$120 million tourism complex called Sahro Yulduzi is planned on a 26-hectare site near Khiva. Urgench district will also host a US$26 million copper industry cluster and a US$60 million optical fiber cable manufacturing facility.
A university for 5,000 students, a hotel, recreational facilities and shopping complexes will be established in the Al-Khwarizmi town. An Investors’ House is also planned in Urgench.
Overall, the announced projects are expected to create 6,600 new jobs.
During the ceremony, Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of creating new jobs and modern production facilities and thanked foreign partners and members of the public involved in implementing the projects. Following the symbolic launch of the new facilities, the president held a meeting with investors and representatives of Khorezm region.
