Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a ceremony marking the launch of new projects and the start of construction on facilities in Kashkadarya Region. Of 161 projects worth more than US$6 billion in total, 69 were commissioned at the event, while construction began on the remaining 92.
The president said that 20 trillion soums had been allocated to the region over the past five years and US$7 billion in foreign investment had been attracted. Thousands of projects focused on deep processing of raw materials were launched during this period, while per capita income tripled.
Mirziyoyev stressed that the next stage should focus on processing agricultural products within the region so that local residents can earn higher incomes.
In the industrial sector, 28 projects were launched, with plans to create around 7,000 permanent jobs.
Italian brand Cotonella plans to produce 8.5 million finished knitted garments annually. Another 14 textile projects are planned in the Kasansky, Mirishkor and Kasbi districts. They are expected to provide jobs for 18,000 people.
Agricultural processing is another key investment area. Wosune Food Ingredients Karshi, established with the participation of US partners, will process up to 100,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetable products grown across 3,500 hectares. Exports of products for international brands Nestlé and Purina are expected to reach US$40 million.
Investors from Egypt and Pakistan are also beginning to develop 24,000 hectares in Nishan and Guzar districts. Projects in potato farming and livestock production are planned for these areas.
The regional authorities also aim to expand energy generation capacity. Three hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 24 MW have already been commissioned on the Aksu River. In Karshi District, a US$150 million facility to generate electricity from waste is scheduled to begin operations by the end of the year, with the participation of China’s Shanghai SUS.
In addition, nine small hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 58 MW are planned in Kitab, Yakkabog and Shahrisabz districts.
A gold-mining project involving Azerbaijan is beginning in Kitab District. In Shahrisabz District, Russian investors plan to build a US$300 million tourism complex featuring a cable car, a hotel and a ski resort.
Mirziyoyev thanked foreign partners for their investments and for introducing new technologies and innovations, and heard their proposals. He said 2027 would be a year of development for Kashkadarya based on modern industry and agricultural technologies.
At the end of the ceremony, the president pressed a symbolic button to launch the new projects and the construction of planned facilities.
