President of Uzbekistan Reviews Plans for Development of Construction Materials Industry

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 20 November, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the development of Uzbekistan’s construction materials industry.

Over the past eight years, the country’s population has increased by six million, driving substantial growth in housing, roads, and social infrastructure construction. During this period, 210 million square meters of residential and non-residential space were commissioned, and 565,000 apartments were built — ten times more than in previous years.

The construction materials industry has shown impressive growth as well: its output has quadrupled over eight years, and in 2025 it is expected to reach 53 trillion soums, with exports projected at US$1.1 billion.

Notably, the sector is creating new jobs and income sources in regions such as Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Khorezm, and Jizzakh, which previously lacked industrial infrastructure.

At the same time, challenges remain regarding product quality, compliance with standards, logistics, and market expansion. Despite large domestic manufacturers producing PVC pipes, fittings, facing stone, and construction glass, significant volumes of these products were imported in 2024.

Looking ahead, the industry plans to implement 112 projects worth a total of US$2.4 billion, creating 13,500 jobs. Additionally, five strategically significant large projects valued at US$110 million are planned, with a portfolio expansion potential up to US$3.5 billion.

The President emphasized that project development should account for regional resources, raw material availability, and logistics. Export potential was highlighted as a priority, with neighboring countries’ construction materials market valued at over US$4 billion. Uzbekistan aims to actively expand into foreign markets and increase production of export-oriented materials using regional and sectoral capabilities.

Particular attention is given to kaolin utilization: despite reserves exceeding 1 billion tons, porcelain is still imported in large volumes. In 2026, 40 projects for deep processing of kaolin worth US$515 million are planned, alongside the training of 460 specialized professionals.

Energy efficiency is another key focus. Audits at 34 enterprises enabled fuel consumption reductions, and plans are underway to expand the range of energy-saving products, aiming for energy-efficient and eco-friendly materials to account for 25% of construction in 2026 and 35% by 2030.

The President stressed the role of science in improving product quality and safety. Four scientific projects are being carried out jointly with the Tashkent Chemical-Technological Institute, involving experts from Germany, Korea, and Turkey. Starting in 2026, 30 billion soums will be allocated for research in construction materials.

Digital management and artificial intelligence technologies are expected to reduce production costs by 5–10%, with 100 billion soums earmarked over two years for the development of these systems.

In preparation for Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization, the industry is aligning with international standards: 125 standards have already been adopted, with plans to increase the number to 166 by 2026.

President Mirziyoyev issued specific instructions to officials to implement the planned measures, expand production of high-quality products meeting international requirements, and enhance the export potential of the construction materials industry.