Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is chairing a video conference on Tashkent’s socio-economic development, increasing investment and employment, and creating modern infrastructure in mahallas.
At the beginning of the meeting, it was noted that under the current challenging conditions, the opportunities available in each district and mahalla must be fully utilised, with a new approach to increasing added value, investment and high-income jobs.
Each district of the capital should specialise in specific areas based on its own potential, it was noted.
In particular, Sergeli, Yangihayot and Bektemir districts have significant potential for creating large logistics complexes specialising in sorting, packaging, distribution and delivery of goods arriving in Tashkent.
In Shaykhantahur, Mirzo-Ulugbek, Mirabad, Yunusabad and Yakkasaray districts, the number of modern business and financial centres could be increased to create a US$2 billion capital market and 20,000–25,000 high-income jobs.
Almazar, Chilanzar and Uchtepa districts have the potential to attract at least US$1 billion in investment in education, healthcare, trade and services, while creating 15,000–20,000 jobs.
The meeting also reviewed the effectiveness of the system for working with investors in Tashkent.
The capital is expected to attract US$9 billion in investment across 12 districts this year. At the same time, it was noted that work needs to be intensified in some districts to achieve the targets.
A separate system will be introduced to resolve investors’ issues directly on the ground without requiring them to approach various government agencies. Responsible officials at the national and city levels will visit districts every week, meet with entrepreneurs and investors and promptly resolve their problems.
For issues requiring high-level decisions, substantiated proposals will be prepared and submitted to the Presidential Administration on the same day. This procedure will remain under separate supervision until the end of the year.
A task was set to develop a specific plan to attract US$10 billion in investment to the capital next year and create 150,000–200,000 permanent high-income jobs.
Particular attention was paid to work carried out to comprehensively develop mahallas and streets in Almazar district.
Since the beginning of the year, nine streets in the district have been transformed into attractive areas for businesses, residents and tourists. The positive results of the redevelopment in Kichkirik mahalla were highlighted.
In an area that previously lacked infrastructure, a 450-place kindergarten, sports grounds, a recreation area, an amphitheatre, a pedestrian path and fountains were built within a short period. As a result, living and recreational conditions improved significantly for 5,500 residents.
The president instructed officials to expand this experience by starting similar work on another eight streets in Almazar district and on at least three to four streets in each of the capital’s other 11 districts.
One trillion soums has been allocated for the comprehensive renovation of 100 streets in Tashkent. In addition, a four-year programme worth 10 trillion soums will be developed to improve 400 mahallas based on the Kichkirik example.
It was stressed that it is necessary to clearly determine what changes will be made, where and when in each district and mahalla, discuss these plans in local councils and openly communicate them to residents.
The comprehensive development of the historic part of the capital, known as the Old City, was also discussed.
A task was set to develop a unified development concept and a specific portfolio of projects for the area with the involvement of foreign companies by 1 November.
The meeting also focused on the effective use of buildings owned by government agencies in the capital. Tashkent currently has 497 administrative buildings with a total area of 765,000 square metres.
It was noted that government organisations should be located optimally, while trade, services, private healthcare and educational services should be developed in vacant and inefficiently used premises.
Officials were instructed to inventory government buildings and organise practical work to provide entrepreneurs with suitable premises for long-term leases on guaranteed terms.
The meeting also considered opportunities to implement new investment and business projects through the privatisation of state property.
In Almazar district alone, 52 state-owned properties with a total value of 100 billion soums are being put up for auction. It was noted that offering these properties to entrepreneurs together with ready-made business projects would help increase budget revenues and economic activity.
Particular attention was paid to creating modern infrastructure that would encourage residents to walk more, engage in sports and spend time outdoors.
In Kichkirik mahalla, an eco-recreation zone has been created along 2.5 kilometres of a waterway, along with a 12.5-kilometre pedestrian path. This is helping residents develop habits of morning exercise and evening walks.
It was proposed to turn areas along the capital’s canals and major irrigation channels into open and safe spaces for residents to walk. In particular, there is an opportunity to create a continuous 20-kilometre pedestrian path along the Bozsu Canal from Shahidlar Hotirasi Park to Chilanzar district.
A separate project for this initiative is to be developed within one month.
The need to make effective use of new opportunities for developing small businesses and services in mahallas was also emphasised.
Opportunities are expanding to adapt the ground floors of apartment buildings for retail and service businesses. At the same time, the limit on unsecured loans for entrepreneurs wishing to start businesses in Tashkent will be increased from 100 million to 200 million soums.
In Almazar district, these opportunities are expected to support 300 new entrepreneurs and create 1,000 jobs this year. A task was set to extend this experience to other districts of the capital and provide 20,000 residents with income-generating employment by the end of the year.
A 305-hectare industrial zone in the Miskin and Ibrohim Ota mahallas contains 504 business facilities. Most are located in one- and two-storey buildings, meaning the area’s economic potential is not being fully utilised.
It was noted that the number of jobs could be increased from the current 35,000 to 100,000, while exports could reach US$600 million.
Entrepreneurs will be offered accessible financial instruments, including industrial mortgages, loans and leasing, enabling new high-value-added projects to be launched in the industrial zone.
The meeting also considered strengthening the link between labour market needs and the vocational training system in Almazar district.
Employers in the district currently need more than 4,000 workers with secondary specialised education and nearly 1,000 workers in occupations that do not require specialised qualifications.
In response, a 400-place college specialising in information technology and advanced innovation will be established at the Almazar District Vocational Skills Centre. A modern vocational training centre will also be created in the former Tashkent Architecture and Construction College building. Other existing buildings will also be used effectively for vocational training.
To strengthen targeted training for foreign labour markets, German language courses for 500 people will be organised jointly with private German training centres. Training for medical workers seeking employment in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will also be provided.
In addition, projects will be implemented to attract 20 major recruitment companies from Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, while cooperation with French companies will facilitate the annual employment of 1,500 citizens in seasonal jobs.
A task was set to begin creating an innovation cluster by the end of the year on a 42-hectare site in the Yoshlar student campus, bringing together an IT park and high-tech industrial and educational facilities.
The meeting paid particular attention to making effective use of Almazar district’s educational and scientific potential and creating a safe and modern environment for students.
Around 75,000 students currently study in the district. It was therefore noted that a unified management system should be introduced covering their education and living conditions, employment, entrepreneurship, cultural life and safety.
Within the administration of the Yoshlar student campus, dedicated officials will be responsible for student education and upbringing, employment, social support and women’s issues.
Around 18,000 young people live in 41 student dormitories belonging to seven higher education institutions in the district. A separate directorate will be established to improve their living conditions, maintain the areas around the dormitories, expand green spaces and book cafés, and regularly organise cultural events.
The practice of online monitoring of entry to and exit from higher education institutions and dormitories, as well as attendance, through the Situation Management Centre established at the student campus, was noted to be producing positive results.
A task was set to introduce the system in other districts of Tashkent by the end of the year and in all higher education institutions across the country next year.
The meeting also considered expanding access to preschool education.
The preschool education coverage rate in Almazar district currently stands at 67%. It was noted that this figure could be significantly increased by expanding the capacity of existing kindergartens in densely populated areas.
At Kindergarten No. 441, a new building with 450 places was constructed alongside the existing 385 places, fully meeting the needs of the mahalla. Based on this experience, at least five similar projects are planned to be launched in Almazar district by the end of the year.
Other districts of the capital will also identify densely populated mahallas and prepare projects to expand preschool education infrastructure.
At the same time, it was noted that traffic congestion in Tashkent is becoming an increasingly pressing problem. Around 1.5 million vehicles travel on the capital’s streets every day.
It was stressed that congestion cannot be solved solely by expanding roads or building bridges and tunnels. Therefore, a task was set to begin implementing intelligent transport systems by the end of the year for safe and efficient management of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
The president also reviewed the results of a new approach to crime prevention introduced in Almazar district.
Since the beginning of the year, professors and lecturers from the Academy of Law Enforcement have been assigned to the district. Working together with 23 investigators, they are introducing modern methods to prevent the most common crimes in the district and improve the effectiveness of investigations.
Another 20 academy students have been assigned to experienced investigators and prevention inspectors as part of dual education. This not only improves their practical training but also helps conduct preventive work in mahallas.
As a result, no crimes have been registered since the beginning of the year in 13 of the district’s 64 mahallas, and no mahallas remain classified as having a difficult crime situation. The number of crimes involving women fell from 22 to 10, while no cases of repeat offences by people who had previously served sentences were recorded.
At the same time, it was noted that youth crime and cases involving bodily injuries continue to require particular attention.
A task was set to develop effective prevention mechanisms aimed at sharply reducing offences among young people and develop Almazar district’s experience in this area.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for the autumn-winter season in Tashkent and measures to ensure the stable operation of municipal and energy infrastructure.
As part of the “40 Critical Days” campaign, 2,000 kilometres of irrigation channels in the city were cleared of waste, while 500,000 fruit and ornamental tree seedlings and flowers were planted.
In 114 mahallas experiencing electricity supply problems, transformers were replaced, while another 443 transformers were repaired. A total of 600 kilometres of electricity networks were replaced, and 2,500 street lighting poles were restored to working condition.
By preventing illegal consumption and introducing energy-saving technologies, the capital saved 11 million kWh of electricity and 10 million cubic metres of natural gas in one month. Losses in electricity and gas networks were reduced by almost 1%.
Officials were instructed to systematically continue efforts to identify illegal connections and ensure the rule of law and the inevitability of punishment.
It was noted that the tasks discussed using Almazar district as an example are equally relevant to all districts of the capital.
The meeting concluded with reports from district hokims and other officials.
