President Discusses Priority Socio-Economic Development Projects in Ferghana Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 4 February, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting dedicated to the priority tasks for the socio-economic development of the Ferghana region.

The session began with an assessment of the results of systemic reforms implemented in the region in recent years. Despite limited land and mineral resources, the region has continued economic diversification, maintaining stable growth in industry, agriculture, services, and information technology. Gross regional product per capita increased from 7 million to 26.6 million soums between 2017 and 2025, a nearly 3.8-fold rise, reflecting significant growth in economic activity and household incomes.

Positive trends were also noted in employment and social protection: in 2025, 519,000 people were employed, increasing incomes and lifting 53,000 families out of low-income status. By the end of 2026, unemployment is planned to be reduced to 3 percent and poverty to 2.7 percent.

Investment and foreign trade activity in the region has also grown: 26 large and 357 medium and small projects have been implemented, attracting US$1.2 billion in foreign investment. The number of exporting enterprises is increasing, and export volumes are growing. In agriculture, 816,700 tons of grain were harvested from 94.3 thousand hectares at an average yield of 8.66 tons per hectare. Cotton production on 72,000 hectares reached 324,000 tons, and fruit and vegetable exports totaled US$403 million. Household plots and compact greenhouses provided thousands of families with sustainable additional income.

The meeting outlined priority development tasks for the region. To ensure stable investment and export growth while reducing unemployment and poverty, a package of major new projects worth US$8.2 billion has been formed. In 2026, projects totaling US$4.2 billion are planned to be launched, including US$2.7 billion in industry, US$210 million in agriculture, and US$1.2 billion in services and tourism.

It was noted that of the 2,115 hectares previously allocated for industrial purposes, 40 percent have not yet been offered at auction. The President emphasized the need to first improve the infrastructure of existing vacant plots and present them to entrepreneurs for effective investment placement.

This year, 98,000 permanent jobs are planned to be created, incomes of 423,000 residents are to be increased, and 74,000 previously informal jobs will be formalized. The goal is to transform several districts—Buvayda, Uchkuprik, Kuva, Uzbekistan, Yazyev—and the cities of Margilan, Ferghana, Kokand, and Kuvasay into areas free of unemployment and poverty. Over 800 billion soums will be allocated for infrastructure improvements in seven districts and 132 mahallas facing difficult conditions, and banks will provide 1.4 trillion soums as part of the “Mahalla Project.”

In agriculture, the target is to increase fruit and vegetable exports to US$510 million by supplying high value-added finished products. Agro-logistics centers worth US$175 million will be built in Ferghana and Kuvasay with Chinese investors. In Uzbekistan, Besharyk, and Altyaryk districts, four projects totaling US$21 million in livestock, dairy processing, and breeding chickens are planned.

Special attention is being given to social infrastructure: in 2026, 33 schools are slated for construction or reconstruction, with 343 billion soums allocated. Regional leaders are tasked with attracting additional resources and private sector participation to enhance infrastructure.

To expand the region’s tourism potential, tourist complexes modeled after Ugam and Miraki will be created in the Sokh district, a large tourist-recreational zone will be developed in Ferghana district, and new sites and routes to cultural heritage monuments will be organized in Kokand. In Kokand, a unified system for providing government services in one location will be established by relocating 17 institutions to the “Yangi Uzbekistan” area.

In information technology, active development is planned as a key economic driver. The region hosts 139 IT park residents, and in 2026, IT service volumes are expected to reach 3.5 trillion soums with exports of US$30 million. A new IT park and complex will be created in Ferghana, the “Heirs of Muhammad al-Khwarizmi” project will be implemented, and an international IT university will be established in Margilan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Head of State gave concrete instructions for the implementation of each project in close alignment with employment and living standard improvement goals, strengthening personal accountability for achieving the set objectives.