Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has held a meeting during his visit to Bukhara Region to discuss regional economic development and measures to improve living standards.
"We have come with new initiatives worth US$30 billion that will bring positive changes to Bukhara's economy and people's everyday lives," the president said.
The meeting began with a review of drinking water supply and sewerage infrastructure. A US$385 million project is being implemented in this area jointly with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. A further US$248 million will be attracted for its second phase.
As a result, water supply is expected to improve for 1.7 million residents across all districts and cities of the region, while 775,000 people will be connected to the sewerage network. The share of the population with access to centralised drinking water supply is expected to increase from the current 80% to 95%.
The president stressed that residents were waiting for these improvements and instructed officials to accelerate project implementation.
Large-scale plans have also been outlined to improve transport links across the region. Reconstruction of the A-380 highway running through Bukhara is scheduled for completion this year.
Next year, work will begin on upgrading a 69-km section of the M-37 highway in the region. The US$200 million project will also include construction of a 4.5-km bypass around the city of Bukhara.
Plans include building a modern toll highway with a cement-concrete surface on the Samarkand–Bukhara route. The new road is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities from the current five hours to one and a half hours. A new railway line for high-speed trains is also planned along the same route.
The president instructed officials to complete the master plans for the road and railway projects and begin negotiations with partners.
A new US$300 million airport meeting international standards is under construction in Bukhara. It will be capable of handling 20 aircraft and 1,200 passengers simultaneously.
A 24-km road will be built to connect the airport with the city centre. Plans also include a 5.5-km bus rapid transit (BRT) lane.
The president set the task of commissioning the airport and the access road before Independence Day celebrations. The new infrastructure is expected to make travel more convenient for arriving passengers and expand the region's transport capacity.
Türkiye's Pegasus Airlines is launching direct flights to Bukhara. Officials have also been instructed to establish air connections with Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain next year.
Mirziyoyev also addressed the development of tourism services and the expansion of new tourist routes in Bukhara. The region is expected to receive 3.5 million foreign tourists this year, with a long-term target of doubling that number.
Plans include bringing together the historical complexes of the Old City, Seven Pirs, Chor-Bakr, Poykent, Varakhsha and Vardonze under a unified tourism concept.
A US$80 million tourism centre will be established on 50 hectares in the Gulchorbog mahalla of Bukhara. The site will include an exhibition hall, an amphitheatre and hotels.
A US$60 million congress hall is under construction in the Jalol Ikromi mahalla for hosting international events. Two seven-storey hotels under the Hilton and Holiday Inn brands are also being built nearby.
In addition, eight central streets will be renovated using national and modern architectural designs, and six public gardens will be created.
As part of the expansion of the regional centre, a US$500 million tourism cluster is planned on a 1,000-hectare site in Bukhara District. The project is intended to increase the length of tourists' stays in Bukhara...
The president said that by combining Bukhara Region's raw material and energy resources with the potential of local entrepreneurs, projects worth a total of US$28 billion could be implemented over the next three years.
Of this amount, US$17 billion is allocated to the oil and gas and chemical industries. The head of state instructed officials to attract leading technology companies to expand the capacity of the Bukhara Oil Refinery and deliver tangible results.
The meeting also highlighted the need to establish an oil and gas chemical research and industrial cluster in Kagan District to ensure deeper processing of raw materials produced by enterprises in the region.
In the energy sector, power plants with a combined capacity of nearly 2,000 MW have been commissioned over a relatively short period. Over the next three years, the region plans to build additional wind power plants with a capacity of 3,100 MW and energy storage systems with a capacity of 1,000 MW.
The increase in electricity generation also requires the development of transmission and distribution networks. To this end, 745 km of power lines are planned for construction in the region over the next three years.
The president noted the need to draw on experience gained through cooperation with international brands in the light industry and more actively promote textiles produced in Bukhara on foreign markets.
The target for next year is to implement projects worth at least US$1 billion in this sector and double exports.
A total of 900 billion soums has been allocated this year to improve roads in the region. However, challenges remain in reducing traffic congestion, ensuring pedestrian and road safety, and improving public transport services.
Currently, 2,000 km of local roads and 266 bridges in Bukhara Region require repairs. The president stressed the need to expand the involvement of private investment in their renovation and operation.
Officials were instructed to explore opportunities to build alternative toll roads connecting major tourist routes.
Due to underdeveloped public transport in Bukhara, 80% of residents use private cars to travel to work, study and carry out everyday activities. The president instructed officials to accelerate the delivery of an additional 120 buses needed by the region.
It was noted that tourists form their first impression of Bukhara when they arrive at the airport and railway station. Officials were therefore given instructions to improve service quality and create more comfortable conditions at these facilities.
The president also emphasised the need for a unified approach to selecting tree species that are suited to Bukhara's climate and historical character, maintaining existing greenery and landscaping roadside areas.
Residents of 55 mahallas in the region are still awaiting connections to the centralised drinking water supply system. The president instructed officials to set specific deadlines and ensure water reaches these communities.
Another priority is accelerating the construction of residential areas to meet the region's housing needs.
The meeting also addressed tasks in education and healthcare.
Officials were instructed to allocate land to entrepreneurs to increase the number of private kindergartens and schools and ensure that 50% of school graduates enrol in technical colleges.
The president stressed the need to establish cooperation between technical colleges and major entrepreneurs and investors, as well as introduce international educational programmes.
Plans also call for doubling the coverage of dual education programmes across ten public and private higher education institutions in the region.
Work to renovate 29 hospitals and clinics has been carried out this year. However, challenges remain regarding the quality of medical services, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Officials were instructed to improve primary healthcare, attract investment to the sector and make use of the expertise of compatriots who have gained professional experience abroad.
The president praised the efforts of Alat District Governor Nargiza Nematova in promoting the comprehensive development of the territory under her administration.
Mirziyoyev announced his decision to award her the Fidokorona Xizmatlari uchun Order in recognition of her many years of dedicated service in government and public administration and her contribution to improving living standards through the creation of new jobs.
At the meeting, heads of sectors and regional administrations also presented reports on progress in implementing the tasks discussed and outlined their plans for the coming year.
