From Bringing Migrants Home to Exporting Labor: Mirziyoyev Backs Artykhojaev’s Proposals
Uzbekistan
Entrepreneur Jahongir Artykhojaev has proposed creating a platform to facilitate the return and employment of 10,000 Uzbek citizens currently living abroad. AKFA Holding is ready to hire them, while President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed that a dedicated mechanism be developed with the involvement of Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions.
Speaking at a meeting with entrepreneurs on August 18, Artykhojaev linked the initiative to the recent tragedy in Tatarstan, where eight Uzbek citizens were killed. He said AKFA Holding was prepared to provide jobs for 10,000 compatriots abroad, including those seeking to return from Russia.
The entrepreneur proposed establishing a dedicated call centre for citizens interested in returning and called on other businesses to join the initiative. Artykhojaev noted that Uzbekistan has around 600,000 entrepreneurs. In his estimate, if each employed at least two compatriots, more than one million people could potentially find jobs.
He also outlined projects that could provide employment opportunities for Uzbeks abroad. According to Artykhojaev, construction company Discovery Invest has established a joint venture with a major US construction company and is negotiating EPC contracts for a petrochemical complex in Mexico and a mining complex in Saudi Arabia. Discussions are also under way on participation in the construction of a tourism complex in Albania.
President Mirziyoyev backed the proposals and instructed Artykhojaev to submit a platform proposal within ten days. Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions are to be involved, with particular attention to the embassy in Russia. The president also noted the availability of a significant number of vacancies inside Uzbekistan and urged entrepreneurs, if necessary, to meet Uzbek citizens abroad and explain employment opportunities available at home.
Artykhojaev additionally proposed applying a private-sector model to the construction of administrative buildings in New Tashkent, with private companies financing construction and the state subsequently leasing the facilities on a long-term basis. He said long-term contracts could enable companies to attract loans and foreign financing. The entrepreneur estimated that the model could generate more than 100,000 jobs.
He also reported that a facility in Akhangaran had already exported $100 million worth of products to the United States, with the figure expected, according to him, to reach $200 million by the end of the year.
During the meeting, Artykhojaev also discussed the conditions faced by businesses in previous years and proposed documenting the experience of Uzbek entrepreneurs in a book. The president instructed him to prepare the publication and include accounts of the difficulties businesses faced in earlier years.
The entrepreneur proposed establishing a dedicated call centre for citizens interested in returning and called on other businesses to join the initiative. Artykhojaev noted that Uzbekistan has around 600,000 entrepreneurs. In his estimate, if each employed at least two compatriots, more than one million people could potentially find jobs.
He also outlined projects that could provide employment opportunities for Uzbeks abroad. According to Artykhojaev, construction company Discovery Invest has established a joint venture with a major US construction company and is negotiating EPC contracts for a petrochemical complex in Mexico and a mining complex in Saudi Arabia. Discussions are also under way on participation in the construction of a tourism complex in Albania.
President Mirziyoyev backed the proposals and instructed Artykhojaev to submit a platform proposal within ten days. Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions are to be involved, with particular attention to the embassy in Russia. The president also noted the availability of a significant number of vacancies inside Uzbekistan and urged entrepreneurs, if necessary, to meet Uzbek citizens abroad and explain employment opportunities available at home.
Artykhojaev additionally proposed applying a private-sector model to the construction of administrative buildings in New Tashkent, with private companies financing construction and the state subsequently leasing the facilities on a long-term basis. He said long-term contracts could enable companies to attract loans and foreign financing. The entrepreneur estimated that the model could generate more than 100,000 jobs.
He also reported that a facility in Akhangaran had already exported $100 million worth of products to the United States, with the figure expected, according to him, to reach $200 million by the end of the year.
During the meeting, Artykhojaev also discussed the conditions faced by businesses in previous years and proposed documenting the experience of Uzbek entrepreneurs in a book. The president instructed him to prepare the publication and include accounts of the difficulties businesses faced in earlier years.
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