Syrdarya Targets $2 Billion Foreign Investment in 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Foreign direct investment in Uzbekistan's Syrdarya region is projected to reach US$2 billion in 2026, matching the total volume of foreign capital attracted to the region over the preceding decade combined.

Regional Governor Erkinjon Turdimov announced the figure during the "Do Business in Syrdarya" international investment forum in Gulistan, organized ahead of the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's national independence.

Over the past decade, overall investment in the region totaled US$8 billion, including more than US$2.5 billion in foreign capital. The 2026 target of US$2 billion represents a 2.2-fold increase compared to the previous year.

Turdimov highlighted that several foreign firms attending the forum had expanded their local presence into hosting roles, including Lianghe Grade Agro, Tavsid General, Wuzong Energy, FM World, Lesso, and OTR Group. The forum gathered over 30 international delegations and more than 300 foreign guests from nearly ten countries, including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Over the past year, 30 industrial projects valued at US$1.5 billion were allocated across 420 hectares in the region's industrial zones. Priority sectors identified for future investment include metallurgy, energy, agriculture, textiles, chemicals, mechanical engineering, building materials, information technology, electrical engineering, and rare metal extraction.

Providing broader economic context, Turdimov noted that Uzbekistan attracted US$43.1 billion in foreign investment nationwide in 2025, with gross domestic product exceeding US$145 billion and exports reaching US$33.4 billion. For 2026, national targets set GDP to exceed US$180 billion and exports to surpass US$40 billion, aligned with a presidential goal to expand the national economy by more than US$240 billion over the next five years.

To support business growth, regional authorities highlighted national administrative reforms, including the elimination and digitization of 120 document requirements, a three-year moratorium on small business inspections not involving public health or commercial risks, and an increase in the value-added tax registration threshold from 1 billion to 5 billion soums, benefiting nearly 600,000 small enterprises. Additionally, online credit applications of up to 5 billion soums have been made available for start-up entrepreneurs.

Turdimov also noted the execution of preferential trade agreements to expand foreign trade, including agreements covering 150 product categories with Jordan, 88 with Pakistan, and 34 each with Iran and Afghanistan, alongside a mutual duty-free trade regime with Turkmenistan for domestically manufactured goods.