President of Uzbekistan Approves Investment, Industry, and Tourism Plans for Navoi Region

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 February, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting focused on the socio-economic development of Navoi Region and on setting the priority areas of work for 2026.

Historically, the region’s economy has been dominated by large enterprises such as the Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Combinat, Navoiyuran, Navoi Azot, and Kyzylkumcement. In recent years, however, the focus has shifted toward economic diversification and identifying new growth opportunities.

In 2025, investments outside the activities of major industrial enterprises reached US$1.4 billion, with a target set to increase this figure to US$2 billion in 2026. The region’s gross regional product grew by 7.7 percent to 168 trillion soms. Industrial output rose by 8.3 percent, agriculture by 4.7 percent, and the service sector by 13.7 percent. Over the year, 161,000 new jobs were created, while unemployment and poverty rates fell to 4.2 percent.

The President emphasized the importance of leveraging the comparative advantages of each district. Nurata and Gazgan have particular potential in decorative stones and tourism; Tamdy and Uchkuduk are focused on mining; Navbahor specializes in textiles and horticulture; Kanimekh in pasture livestock farming; Zarafshan in jewelry and IT; Karman in chemical industry and cultural tourism; and the city of Navoi in mechanical engineering and services.

Special attention was given to the creation of an industrial granite park and a decorative stone processing cluster in Nurata district, as well as a small industrial zone in Khatyrchi district featuring high-yield projects worth US$100 million. To train qualified personnel, a center for mining and chemical industry specialists will be established at the Navoi College of Digital Technologies.

The importance of attracting US$4.2 billion in foreign investment and increasing exports to US$1.5 billion was also highlighted. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises, expanding local production, and developing sheep, camel, and horse breeding were identified as key priorities. Measures include importing pedigree animals, constructing wells, and bringing 3.3 million hectares of pastureland into agricultural use.

In education, tertiary enrollment reached 71 percent, and graduates from ten schools achieved a 100 percent university admission rate. In Navoi and Zarafshan, specialized IT classrooms will be opened, 100 teachers will receive advanced training, and an in-person program in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will launch at the branch of Tashkent University of Information Technologies.

Tourism is also set to become a priority sector: in 2026, the region aims to attract 600,000 foreign and 3 million domestic tourists, create 72 new accommodation facilities, and generate 500 jobs. Shopping, entertainment, and recreational facilities will be developed, while guesthouses will be organized in 18 mahallas with tourism potential.

Several districts will see the establishment of national embroidery centers and the transformation of villages into tourist zones, including the development of a recreational area around Sarmyshsay in Navbahor. In Karman, the cultural and tourist center “Ancient Karmana” will open.

Additionally, between 2026 and 2028, infrastructure modernization is planned: 312 kilometers of water supply pipes and 124 kilometers of sewerage pipelines will be replaced in key cities, and modern sanitation facilities will be established in all schools, kindergartens, and medical institutions throughout the region.

Concluding the meeting, the President stressed that the implementation of these measures should result in tangible improvements in the lives of residents and issued corresponding instructions to the officials.