New initiatives and development priorities for the Bukhara region were discussed
Uzbekistan
During his visit to the Bukhara region, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the region's socioeconomic development.
"We have come with new initiatives worth $30 billion that will bring positive changes to Bukhara's economy and people's daily lives," the head of state noted.
At the meeting, it was emphasized that the results of these initiatives should primarily be reflected in the development of essential infrastructure for the population and the creation of new sources of income. Based on this, plans for developing drinking water supply and sewerage networks, upgrading roads, and implementing new projects in industry and services were discussed.
With the participation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a $385 million project aimed at improving water supply and sewerage systems is being implemented. An additional $248 million will be raised for the second phase of the project. As a result, 1.7 million residents will benefit from improved water supply, and 775,000 people will gain access to a centralized sewerage network. The coverage rate for centralized water supply will increase from the current 80 to 95 percent. The President ordered the setting of specific deadlines and the acceleration of work on 55 mahallas awaiting connection to the water supply network.
Projects aimed at expanding the region's transportation connectivity were also discussed. The reconstruction of the A-380 highway, which runs through the Bukhara region, will be completed this year. Next year, the renovation of a 69-kilometer section of the M-37 highway in the region will begin. This project also includes the construction of a 4.5-kilometer bypass road around the regional capital.
A toll road with a concrete pavement is planned for the Samarkand-Bukhara route, as well as a new high-speed rail line. The new road is expected to reduce travel time from the current five hours to one and a half hours. Responsible officials were instructed to complete the master plans for both projects and begin negotiations with potential partners.
A new international airport, costing $300 million, is being built in Bukhara. It will be able to handle 20 aircraft and 1,200 passengers simultaneously.
A 24-kilometer road will connect the airport to the city center. A dedicated 5.5-kilometer BRT lane will be built for buses. Turkish airline Pegasus is launching direct flights to Bukhara. Next year, flights to Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Bahrain are also planned.
At the meeting, in addition to the construction of new roads and an airport, the need to improve travel within the region was also emphasized. Despite the fact that 900 billion soums have been allocated for road improvements this year, 2,000 kilometers of local roads and 266 bridges require repairs. Instructions were given to explore the possibility of attracting private investment for their renovation and maintenance, as well as the construction of alternative toll roads connecting major tourist routes.
Due to the underdevelopment of public transportation, 80 percent of the population uses cars for daily commutes. Therefore, the delivery of 120 buses to the region will be expedited. Tasks have also been identified to improve service quality at the airport and train stations, as well as to implement a unified approach to landscaping that takes into account Bukhara's climate and historical character.
Tourism is a key area of economic development in the region. This year, 3.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Bukhara. The need to double this figure, extend the length of tourists' stay in the region, and expand the tourist season to other months of the year has been emphasized.
To this end, historical complexes such as the Old City, Yeti Pir, Chor-Bakr, Paykent, Varakhsha, and Vardonze will be linked under a unified tourism concept. A tourist center is being created in the Gulchorbog mahalla on a 50-hectare site, while a congress hall for international events, along with Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels, is being built in the Jalol Ikromi mahalla. Eight central streets will be renovated and six public gardens will be created. A $500 million tourism cluster is also planned for the Bukhara district on a 1,000-hectare site.
The President of our country emphasized that, along with the creation of new facilities, it is necessary to expand the range of tourism services and improve their quality. In Bukhara, the tourist season has increased from four to six months. Nearly 30 international events are planned for next year. However, the region lacks five-star hotels and a limited number of large shopping and entertainment centers, with the majority of existing facilities and services concentrated in the city of Bukhara.
Responsible officials have been instructed to develop a monthly plan to increase the influx of foreign tourists to 7 million. This plan must clearly outline new tourism packages, events, and facilities to be opened in the region's districts, as well as target markets for attracting tourists.
At the meeting, it was noted that this year, the region's economy will exceed 100 trillion soums for the first time, growing by 10.1 percent. According to the survey, 98 percent of Bukhara residents noted an improvement in their quality of life, and 83 percent of entrepreneurs are optimistic about the prospects for the next three years. At the same time, the region's economic growth remains dependent on natural resource-based industry and agriculture. These industries account for 43 percent of the economy, while the service sector's share has only increased from 33 to 36 percent over the past ten years.
The President has set the goal of diversifying the economy, deepening raw material processing, and identifying growth areas in each district. Specific plans will be developed to increase the industrial, service, and agricultural sectors by 1.5 times.
As noted, by combining the Bukhara region's raw material and energy resources with its entrepreneurial potential, industrial projects worth a total of $28 billion can be implemented within three years. $17 billion of this amount is in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. The goal has been to attract leading technology companies to expand the capacity of the Bukhara Oil Refinery and to create a petrochemical scientific and industrial cluster in the Kagan district.
In the energy sector, power plants with a total capacity of approximately 2,000 megawatts have been commissioned in a short period of time. Over the next three years, wind farms with a total capacity of 3,100 megawatts and energy storage systems with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts are planned to be built. Along with the launch of new generating capacity, the region's electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure is planned to be developed, including the construction of 745 kilometers of power grids.
The development of light industry was also discussed. The goal was to expand the presence of Bukhara's textile products in foreign markets, building on experience in cooperation with international brands. Next year, the industry plans to implement projects worth at least $1 billion and double export volumes.
While reviewing ongoing social work, the following objectives were discussed: increasing the number of private preschools and general education institutions, attracting 50 percent of high school graduates to technical schools, and establishing partnerships between technical schools and major entrepreneurs and investors. The goal was set to double the coverage of dual education at ten public and private higher education institutions in the region.
This year, work was carried out to renovate 29 hospitals and clinics. The President emphasized the need to improve the quality of medical services, primarily at the primary care level, attract investment in the sector, and make greater use of the potential of compatriots who have gained professional experience abroad.
The meeting heard reports and plans for the coming year from industry and regional leaders.
The President of our country recognized the special dedication of Alat District Khokim Nargiza Nematova to the comprehensive development of the district and announced the decision to award her the Order of "Fidokorona Khizmatlari Uchun" (Prosperous Land) for her many years of fruitful service in government and administration, as well as for her contribution to improving the well-being of the population through the creation of new jobs.
With this, the President of our country concluded his visit to the Bukhara region and returned to Tashkent.
At the meeting, it was emphasized that the results of these initiatives should primarily be reflected in the development of essential infrastructure for the population and the creation of new sources of income. Based on this, plans for developing drinking water supply and sewerage networks, upgrading roads, and implementing new projects in industry and services were discussed.
With the participation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a $385 million project aimed at improving water supply and sewerage systems is being implemented. An additional $248 million will be raised for the second phase of the project. As a result, 1.7 million residents will benefit from improved water supply, and 775,000 people will gain access to a centralized sewerage network. The coverage rate for centralized water supply will increase from the current 80 to 95 percent. The President ordered the setting of specific deadlines and the acceleration of work on 55 mahallas awaiting connection to the water supply network.
Projects aimed at expanding the region's transportation connectivity were also discussed. The reconstruction of the A-380 highway, which runs through the Bukhara region, will be completed this year. Next year, the renovation of a 69-kilometer section of the M-37 highway in the region will begin. This project also includes the construction of a 4.5-kilometer bypass road around the regional capital.
A toll road with a concrete pavement is planned for the Samarkand-Bukhara route, as well as a new high-speed rail line. The new road is expected to reduce travel time from the current five hours to one and a half hours. Responsible officials were instructed to complete the master plans for both projects and begin negotiations with potential partners.
A new international airport, costing $300 million, is being built in Bukhara. It will be able to handle 20 aircraft and 1,200 passengers simultaneously.
A 24-kilometer road will connect the airport to the city center. A dedicated 5.5-kilometer BRT lane will be built for buses. Turkish airline Pegasus is launching direct flights to Bukhara. Next year, flights to Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Bahrain are also planned.
At the meeting, in addition to the construction of new roads and an airport, the need to improve travel within the region was also emphasized. Despite the fact that 900 billion soums have been allocated for road improvements this year, 2,000 kilometers of local roads and 266 bridges require repairs. Instructions were given to explore the possibility of attracting private investment for their renovation and maintenance, as well as the construction of alternative toll roads connecting major tourist routes.
Due to the underdevelopment of public transportation, 80 percent of the population uses cars for daily commutes. Therefore, the delivery of 120 buses to the region will be expedited. Tasks have also been identified to improve service quality at the airport and train stations, as well as to implement a unified approach to landscaping that takes into account Bukhara's climate and historical character.
Tourism is a key area of economic development in the region. This year, 3.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Bukhara. The need to double this figure, extend the length of tourists' stay in the region, and expand the tourist season to other months of the year has been emphasized.
To this end, historical complexes such as the Old City, Yeti Pir, Chor-Bakr, Paykent, Varakhsha, and Vardonze will be linked under a unified tourism concept. A tourist center is being created in the Gulchorbog mahalla on a 50-hectare site, while a congress hall for international events, along with Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels, is being built in the Jalol Ikromi mahalla. Eight central streets will be renovated and six public gardens will be created. A $500 million tourism cluster is also planned for the Bukhara district on a 1,000-hectare site.
The President of our country emphasized that, along with the creation of new facilities, it is necessary to expand the range of tourism services and improve their quality. In Bukhara, the tourist season has increased from four to six months. Nearly 30 international events are planned for next year. However, the region lacks five-star hotels and a limited number of large shopping and entertainment centers, with the majority of existing facilities and services concentrated in the city of Bukhara.
Responsible officials have been instructed to develop a monthly plan to increase the influx of foreign tourists to 7 million. This plan must clearly outline new tourism packages, events, and facilities to be opened in the region's districts, as well as target markets for attracting tourists.
At the meeting, it was noted that this year, the region's economy will exceed 100 trillion soums for the first time, growing by 10.1 percent. According to the survey, 98 percent of Bukhara residents noted an improvement in their quality of life, and 83 percent of entrepreneurs are optimistic about the prospects for the next three years. At the same time, the region's economic growth remains dependent on natural resource-based industry and agriculture. These industries account for 43 percent of the economy, while the service sector's share has only increased from 33 to 36 percent over the past ten years.
The President has set the goal of diversifying the economy, deepening raw material processing, and identifying growth areas in each district. Specific plans will be developed to increase the industrial, service, and agricultural sectors by 1.5 times.
As noted, by combining the Bukhara region's raw material and energy resources with its entrepreneurial potential, industrial projects worth a total of $28 billion can be implemented within three years. $17 billion of this amount is in the oil, gas, and chemical industries. The goal has been to attract leading technology companies to expand the capacity of the Bukhara Oil Refinery and to create a petrochemical scientific and industrial cluster in the Kagan district.
In the energy sector, power plants with a total capacity of approximately 2,000 megawatts have been commissioned in a short period of time. Over the next three years, wind farms with a total capacity of 3,100 megawatts and energy storage systems with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts are planned to be built. Along with the launch of new generating capacity, the region's electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure is planned to be developed, including the construction of 745 kilometers of power grids.
The development of light industry was also discussed. The goal was to expand the presence of Bukhara's textile products in foreign markets, building on experience in cooperation with international brands. Next year, the industry plans to implement projects worth at least $1 billion and double export volumes.
While reviewing ongoing social work, the following objectives were discussed: increasing the number of private preschools and general education institutions, attracting 50 percent of high school graduates to technical schools, and establishing partnerships between technical schools and major entrepreneurs and investors. The goal was set to double the coverage of dual education at ten public and private higher education institutions in the region.
This year, work was carried out to renovate 29 hospitals and clinics. The President emphasized the need to improve the quality of medical services, primarily at the primary care level, attract investment in the sector, and make greater use of the potential of compatriots who have gained professional experience abroad.
The meeting heard reports and plans for the coming year from industry and regional leaders.
The President of our country recognized the special dedication of Alat District Khokim Nargiza Nematova to the comprehensive development of the district and announced the decision to award her the Order of "Fidokorona Khizmatlari Uchun" (Prosperous Land) for her many years of fruitful service in government and administration, as well as for her contribution to improving the well-being of the population through the creation of new jobs.
With this, the President of our country concluded his visit to the Bukhara region and returned to Tashkent.
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