President Mirziyoyev Outlines Strategic Priorities for the Development of Jizzakh Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An extraordinary session of the Regional Council of People’s Deputies was held in Jizzakh Region with the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

“We have set ourselves ambitious goals and are working hard to build a New Uzbekistan, introducing innovations and achieving tangible results. Seeing how we have lifted the region out of difficult conditions, witnessing the large-scale transformations in every district of Jizzakh and the joy of its people, I feel great pride and satisfaction,” the head of state said at the start of his address.

Over the past years, Jizzakh Region has become the fastest-growing industrial region in the country. In eight years, investment projects worth US$6.5 billion have been implemented, 45% of which were in the industrial sector.

For example, in the districts of Sharaf Rashidov, Gallaorol, Farish, Zaamin, and the city of Jizzakh, 560 projects worth US$2.3 billion were launched. Today, these areas account for 70% of the region’s industrial output.

“In the past, when we talked about the automotive industry, everyone thought only of Asaka. Together with our partners, we have created capacities in Jizzakh to manufacture 175,000 vehicles per year,” the President noted.

An Engineering Faculty has been opened at the Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute. Each year, 300 young specialists from the region receive modern engineering education based on dual training.

The institute has been placed under the management of the well-known Hungarian Abuda University, with plans to train specialists not only for the automotive sector but also in electrical engineering, transport, construction and building materials, agriculture, and artificial intelligence.

Within a short period, more than 500 tourism and service facilities worth over US$2 billion have been launched in Zaamin, Farish, Arnasay, and the city of Jizzakh. Resort zones worth US$300 million with year-round operations and airports have been established in Arnasay and Zaamin, making Jizzakh one of the country’s most attractive tourist destinations.

Eight years ago, 42% of jobs in Jizzakh were in agriculture. Today, nearly 310,000 residents are employed in higher-paying manufacturing and service sectors.

Agriculture, previously dominated by cotton cultivation, has also diversified. In the districts of Bakhmal, Gallaorol, Zaamin, Yangiobod, and Farish, horticulture has expanded with the establishment of 28,000 hectares of new orchards and vineyards. In the desert areas of Mirzachul, Dustlik, Zafarobod, Zardob, Paxtakor, and Arnasay, fruit and vegetable plantations covering 12,000 hectares have been created.

The region has built facilities for drying, storing, packaging, and processing fruits and vegetables worth US$110 million, enabling the processing of 390,000 tonnes of produce.

Overall, in the past eight years, Jizzakh’s industrial output has increased from 2.5 trillion to 25 trillion soums, services from 2.5 trillion to 20 trillion soums, and agriculture from 9 trillion to 30 trillion soums.

“Of course, this is only the beginning of major reforms. Much work still lies ahead on the path of Jizzakh’s socio-economic development,” the President emphasized.

During the session, an organizational matter was considered. President Mirziyoyev nominated the acting hokim of Jizzakh Region, Ulugbek Mustafayev, for the post of regional governor.

Deputies and public representatives shared their views on the candidate, after which the nomination was put to a vote.

Following the vote, Ulugbek Mustafayev was confirmed as the hokim of Jizzakh Region.

The head of state stressed that the new hokim must justify the trust placed in him and, in the coming year, attract US$4.5 billion in foreign investment, increase exports to US$500 million, create employment for 175,000 people, and lift 15,000 families out of poverty.

The region has already created conditions that allow offering investors concrete project packages tailored to each district’s specialization.

A portfolio of 152 major investment projects worth US$12 billion has been prepared. Their implementation will make Jizzakh more advanced and attractive in industry, agriculture, and tourism.

In particular, the region’s mountainous, water-rich, and pasture areas will develop horticulture and tourism, while its plains and desert districts will focus on industrial development through new approaches.

Additionally, a Unified Management Company is being established based on three directorates in the industrial zones. It will handle investor relations, project support, and marketing.

This company will also have the right to participate in industrial-zone projects with a land-share contribution at market value.

The President also proposed new initiatives for advancing the region’s industrial and investment sectors.

Jizzakh’s share in the national automotive industry has reached 25%. The next step is to develop supporting industries around the manufacturing plants, increase localization, and reduce production costs.

In the Jizzakh Technopark, 10,000 square meters of free space will be offered on favorable terms to entrepreneurs in the sector, while in the 118-hectare Sharaf Rashidov industrial zone, ready-to-use buildings will be constructed for project placement.

Starting next year, 50% of the costs associated with component validation will be covered by the Trade Development Company.

Metallurgical deposits in Jizzakh Region hold significant potential. A project is underway to extract 1,000 tonnes of tungsten per year. Upon the launch of projects in Gallaorol and Nurabad, Uzbekistan is set to become one of the leading global producers of tungsten.

Officials have been tasked with attracting investors to promising gold deposits in Gallaorol, completing geological exploration at the lead-zinc deposit in Farish, and finalizing the feasibility study for the uranium deposit in Arnasay.

Approximately 100 types of construction materials are produced in Jizzakh, including cement, aerated concrete, basalt, decorative stone, glass, and kaolin pigment. Authorities noted that through advanced processing, attention to quality, branding, and certification, added value could increase by 20–30%.

In the Jizzakh Free Economic Zone, 30 projects worth US$510 million have created nearly 10,000 jobs, with additional projects valued at US$540 million underway. Entrepreneurs have requested adequate electricity capacity for the industrial zone and the construction of wastewater treatment facilities. The Ministry of Energy has been instructed to lay a 40 km high-voltage line and build a 40 MW substation.

As part of the industrial zone infrastructure development program for 2026, 100 billion soums are allocated for constructing wastewater treatment facilities in the Jizzakh FEZ.

Previously, the region’s power supply was fully provided by the Shirin Hydroelectric Power Plant. Last year, Masdar commissioned a 220 MW solar power station in Gallaorol. The President noted that, in cooperation with Chinese partners, 200 MW of additional capacity will be installed this year, with another 300 MW next year, alongside the commissioning of 150 small and mini hydropower plants of 30 MW each.

To enhance infrastructure and foster entrepreneurship in the region, nearly 10 trillion soums have been allocated for next year. Of this, 1.7 trillion soums is directed to Sharof Rashidov district. Additionally, the World Bank is providing US$8 million for improving the infrastructure of nine mahallas in the district.

In the mahallas of Eski Toshkentlik, Saraylik, Yakhtanlik, and Taraqqiyot, over 300 homes are engaged in furniture production. Creating a furniture center on 3 hectares for these four mahallas could industrialize the sector and increase incomes for 1,500 residents.

The President also highlighted the lack of parks in Sharof Rashidov, home to over 250,000 people. 10 billion soums has been allocated to create a 10-hectare green park in the Yangi Hayot mahalla.

The head of state listed additional opportunities, instructing hokims to use allocated funds efficiently and direct them toward growth points.

Other districts in the region also present opportunities for trade and services. For instance, tourists traveling to Zom often return because the road to Bakhmal is in poor condition. Integrating the mountainous districts into a unified tourist route could attract at least half of the tourists heading to Zom to Bakhmal, creating hundreds of service facilities, employing thousands, and significantly boosting tourism exports.

Officials have been tasked with beginning the renovation of the 158-km Zom–Bakhmal–Gallaorol road next year.

In Bakhmal District, the creation of a 39-hectare tourist cluster with US$40 million in investment has been approved, granting the district official “tourism district” status.

The construction of a major lakeside tourist complex and wellness center at Lake Aydar–Arnasay has substantially increased local incomes. Plans now include upgrading Arnasay Airport to accommodate large aircraft and constructing a railway line to the lake. Uzbek Railways has been tasked with building a new 45-km line from Dustlik District to the lake area.

Furthermore, 7 billion soums will be allocated to improve infrastructure in the Bakhtli mahalla, which will become a tourist village with road repairs, night lighting, signage, and decorative trees.

In central Jizzakh, the long-abandoned Istiklol Park and adjacent lands by the Sangzor River have been transformed into a public recreational area following a 24 billion soums allocation earlier this year. Next year, an additional 20 billion soums is planned for cleaning and filling the Sangzor River, building a pedestrian bridge, and constructing an amphitheater.

About 150 kilometers of international roads M-39 and A-376 pass through Jizzakh, creating significant opportunities for roadside services. The President emphasized the importance of opening two trade and service complexes built to European standards with separate entrances from the highway. Additionally, safety improvements are required on the 98-kilometer section of the M-39 in Jizzakh Region.

The President also focused on agriculture. Of 900,000 hectares of meadow and pasture lands, 110,000 hectares are reserved. Using these lands for fodder and oil crops, as well as creating industrial orchards, could employ at least 20,000 people. Officials have been tasked with developing a three-year program for the effective use of pastures in Jizzakh.

Starting next year, landowners growing high-value crops and using land purposefully will receive a 50% reduction in land tax. Farmers and livestock owners have requested monthly electricity subsidies for water pumps used for irrigation and crop cultivation, and officials are tasked with implementing a nationwide monthly subsidy system.

Jizzakh is also to become a model for potato production. From 2026, new support mechanisms for potato growers will include a one-year loan at 12% with a six-month grace period for purchasing fertilizers, machinery, fuel, and other expenses. Up to 50% of the loan is guaranteed, and half the cost of installing solar panels for pumps will be reimbursed. Additionally, 50% of electricity costs for pumps will be compensated, imported potato planting and harvesting equipment will be duty-free, and 50% of storage costs for elite and super-elite seed potatoes in cold storage will be reimbursed.

Currently, of 14,000 hectares of orchards in Bakhmal, 4,000 hectares are outdated, yielding no more than 10 tonnes per hectare. Intensive orchard management practices, storage, sorting, and processing techniques will be implemented, and in 2026, only certified seedlings will be planted on 1,500 hectares of old orchards, with half the cost of seedlings reimbursed to farmers and residents.

Other incentives include a seven-year loan with a three-year grace period at 14% for creating intensive orchards. Depending on the fruit type, trellis subsidies range from 20,000 to 70,000 soums. Interest for cold storage loans will be reimbursed up to 8% above the base rate. Fruit and vegetable exporters will receive 50% packaging cost compensation through the Trade Development Agency. A horticultural training center will also be established in Bakhmal next year, with these benefits extended nationwide.

A new agricultural land lease system will be introduced, allowing tenants to decide what to plant, with the starting price of re-leased land reduced to 10%. Lease revenues will be fully allocated to industrial orchard infrastructure, including water supply, power networks, and road construction.

In Zaamin, a large poultry breeding enterprise is being established with U.S. partners, producing the first 100,000 breeding hens and 9 million incubated eggs. This project is expected to elevate the national poultry industry.

Regarding construction and infrastructure, authorities were instructed to bring social services, labor markets, and infrastructure closer to residents in remote mahallas. The National Urbanization Committee and regional administration were tasked with involving European specialists to develop a master plan for Jizzakh and Sharof Rashidov as a single agglomeration. A 40-hectare site between the two districts will host a new microdistrict with 50 multi-story buildings and 1,200 apartments starting next year.

The master plan also includes construction of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure (power supply, water, roads) to serve residents of both Jizzakh and Sharof Rashidov, along with a unified public transport system connecting the two areas.

In the new microdistrict, a unified administrative center will be constructed to house all 21 government institutions of Sharof Rashidov District.

Long-standing traffic congestion at railway crossings in central Jizzakh has created significant inconvenience. To address this, a 10-kilometer bypass road will be built to alleviate urban traffic jams. Additionally, construction has begun on a new bridge over the railway connecting Dashtobod town and the Khovos district.

Until now, Jizzakh, with a population exceeding 200,000, had no city hospital. A new building for the regional multidisciplinary medical center has been inaugurated in the Okkorgon mahalla. The site of the old regional hospital will be transformed into a central city hospital and polyclinic. Next year, the facility is included in the investment program, with 20 billion soums allocated for renovation and equipment.

“The tasks we have set today aim at the socio-economic development of the region and addressing key issues. Our ultimate goal is to meet the needs of the people living and working here, transforming the region into a fully developed area. Achieving this requires everyone to believe in their abilities, take responsibility, show initiative, and work even harder,” the President emphasized at the session’s conclusion.

During the session, reports from regional and district hokims were heard, along with opinions from civic activists.