New Approaches Outlined for the Development of the Capital’s Districts
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference focused on the socio-economic development of Tashkent, increasing investment and employment, and creating modern infrastructure within *mahallas* (local neighborhoods).
It was noted that, given current challenges, a fresh approach is required to fully utilize the potential of each district and *mahalla*, increase value-added output and investment volumes, and create high-paying jobs. Emphasis was placed on the need for the capital's districts to specialize in specific economic sectors based on their unique potential.
In particular, the meeting highlighted significant opportunities for establishing large-scale logistics complexes in the Sergeli, Yangikhayot, and Bektemir districts; increasing the number of modern business and financial centers in central districts; and actively attracting investment to the education, healthcare, retail, and service sectors in the Almazar, Chilanzar, and Uchtepa districts.
Plans are in place to attract $9 billion in investment to the capital's 12 districts this year. It was noted that efforts must be accelerated in certain districts to meet established targets.
To this end, a new system will be implemented to resolve investors' issues directly on-site, eliminating the need to appeal to various government agencies. Officials at both the national and city levels will make weekly visits to the districts to meet with entrepreneurs and investors. Well-founded proposals regarding issues requiring high-level decisions will be submitted to the Presidential Administration on the same day.
A task was set to develop a concrete plan to attract $10 billion in investment to the capital and create 150,000–200,000 permanent, high-paying jobs next year.
The meeting also focused on the comprehensive development of *mahallas* and streets in the Almazar district. Since the beginning of the year, nine streets in the district have been transformed into areas that are attractive to businesses, residents, and tourists alike. Particular note was made of the positive results of the transformations in the Kichkirik mahalla. Previously, the area lacked adequate infrastructure; now, however, it features a 450-seat kindergarten, sports grounds, a recreation area, an amphitheater, pedestrian walkways, and fountains. A modern, comfortable environment has been created for the mahalla’s 5,500 residents.
Plans are in place to replicate this experience across eight additional streets in Almazar and in other districts of the capital. One trillion soums has been allocated for the comprehensive renovation of 100 streets in Tashkent. Furthermore, a four-year program worth 10 trillion soums will be developed to upgrade 400 mahallas, following the model established in Kichkirik.
A directive was issued to develop—by November 1 and in collaboration with foreign companies—a unified concept and a portfolio of specific projects for the comprehensive development of the capital’s historic district, the "Old City."
To expand opportunities in the service sector, the efficient use of state-owned buildings was also reviewed. Tashkent currently has 497 administrative buildings with a total area of 765,000 square meters. Conditions will be created for entrepreneurs to provide retail, service, medical, and educational services within vacant or underutilized spaces.
Emphasis was placed on linking the privatization of state property with the implementation of new business projects. In the Almazar district alone, 52 state-owned facilities with a total value of 100 billion soums are being put up for auction.
Special attention was paid to urban development that incorporates solutions to improve residents' health and comfort. In the Kichkirik mahalla, an eco-park and 12.5 kilometers of pedestrian walkways have been created along a 2.5-kilometer stretch of the canal. The number of such recreational areas along the capital's canals and major irrigation ditches will increase; specifically, a project will be developed to create a continuous 20-kilometer pedestrian walkway along the Bozsu Canal.
New opportunities will also be leveraged to develop small businesses and the service sector within *mahallas* (local neighborhoods). For entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in Tashkent, the limit for unsecured loans will be raised from 100 million to 200 million soums.
In the Almazar district, the goal is to support 300 new entrepreneurs and create 1,000 jobs by the end of the year using these opportunities, while citywide, the aim is to provide 20,000 residents with gainful employment.
Special attention will be paid to fully utilizing the potential of the 305-hectare industrial zone located in the Miskin and Ibrohim Ota *mahallas*. There is potential here to increase the number of jobs from the current 35,000 to 100,000 and to boost export volumes to 600 million dollars. Entrepreneurs will be offered financial instruments such as industrial mortgages, loans, and leasing options.
Emphasis has been placed on the importance of training personnel to meet labor market needs and address employment issues. Employers in the Almazar district require approximately 5,000 specialists with various qualifications.
Consequently, a technical college with a capacity of 400 students—specializing in IT and advanced innovative technologies—will be established at the Almazar District Vocational Competence Center, while modern vocational training centers will be set up in existing buildings. Language courses for 500 people will be organized in partnership with Germany, and projects for the targeted training of medical personnel for the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be launched. Furthermore, plans are in place to attract 20 major recruitment companies from developed nations.
Work will begin on creating an innovation cluster within the 42-hectare "Youth Town" (Youth Campus) area; this cluster will include an IT park as well as high-tech industrial and educational facilities.
Special attention is being paid to fully unlocking the educational and scientific potential of the Almazar district. Currently, 75,000 students are studying there.
A unified management system will be implemented to oversee student education, accommodation, employment, social support, cultural activities, and safety. A dedicated directorate will be established to ensure decent living conditions for the nearly 18,000 young men and women residing in the 41 student dormitories belonging to seven higher education institutions.
Instructions have been issued to roll out the online access control and student attendance monitoring system—currently managed via the campus situation center—to other districts of the capital by the end of the year, and to all higher education institutions across the country next year.
Additional objectives have also been set to expand access to preschool education for children; the current coverage rate in the Almazar district stands at 67 percent. Drawing on the experience of Kindergarten No. 441—where a new building with a capacity of 450 was constructed to supplement the existing 385 places—instructions were issued to launch at least five similar projects by the end of the year.
Given that 1.5 million vehicles circulate through the capital daily, the need to address traffic congestion—not only by widening roads but also by implementing intelligent transport systems—was highlighted. A directive was issued to begin practical work in this area before the year ends.
The meeting also reviewed the results of a new approach to crime prevention implemented in the Almazar district. Collaboration between the Law Enforcement Academy’s faculty and investigators, alongside the introduction of a dual education system for cadets, is enhancing the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
As a result, no crimes were recorded in 13 of the district’s 64 *mahallas* (neighborhoods), and there are no longer any *mahallas* with a severe crime situation. The number of crimes involving women dropped from 22 to 10. At the same time, a task was set to replicate the Almazar district’s experience in sharply reducing offenses among the youth.
Instructions were given to continue systematic efforts to ensure the stability of energy and utility infrastructure and to improve the *mahallas*.
It was noted that the approaches and objectives examined in the context of the Almazar district are relevant to every single district of the capital.
Reports were heard from officials regarding the implementation of the assigned tasks.
In particular, the meeting highlighted significant opportunities for establishing large-scale logistics complexes in the Sergeli, Yangikhayot, and Bektemir districts; increasing the number of modern business and financial centers in central districts; and actively attracting investment to the education, healthcare, retail, and service sectors in the Almazar, Chilanzar, and Uchtepa districts.
Plans are in place to attract $9 billion in investment to the capital's 12 districts this year. It was noted that efforts must be accelerated in certain districts to meet established targets.
To this end, a new system will be implemented to resolve investors' issues directly on-site, eliminating the need to appeal to various government agencies. Officials at both the national and city levels will make weekly visits to the districts to meet with entrepreneurs and investors. Well-founded proposals regarding issues requiring high-level decisions will be submitted to the Presidential Administration on the same day.
A task was set to develop a concrete plan to attract $10 billion in investment to the capital and create 150,000–200,000 permanent, high-paying jobs next year.
The meeting also focused on the comprehensive development of *mahallas* and streets in the Almazar district. Since the beginning of the year, nine streets in the district have been transformed into areas that are attractive to businesses, residents, and tourists alike. Particular note was made of the positive results of the transformations in the Kichkirik mahalla. Previously, the area lacked adequate infrastructure; now, however, it features a 450-seat kindergarten, sports grounds, a recreation area, an amphitheater, pedestrian walkways, and fountains. A modern, comfortable environment has been created for the mahalla’s 5,500 residents.
Plans are in place to replicate this experience across eight additional streets in Almazar and in other districts of the capital. One trillion soums has been allocated for the comprehensive renovation of 100 streets in Tashkent. Furthermore, a four-year program worth 10 trillion soums will be developed to upgrade 400 mahallas, following the model established in Kichkirik.
A directive was issued to develop—by November 1 and in collaboration with foreign companies—a unified concept and a portfolio of specific projects for the comprehensive development of the capital’s historic district, the "Old City."
To expand opportunities in the service sector, the efficient use of state-owned buildings was also reviewed. Tashkent currently has 497 administrative buildings with a total area of 765,000 square meters. Conditions will be created for entrepreneurs to provide retail, service, medical, and educational services within vacant or underutilized spaces.
Emphasis was placed on linking the privatization of state property with the implementation of new business projects. In the Almazar district alone, 52 state-owned facilities with a total value of 100 billion soums are being put up for auction.
Special attention was paid to urban development that incorporates solutions to improve residents' health and comfort. In the Kichkirik mahalla, an eco-park and 12.5 kilometers of pedestrian walkways have been created along a 2.5-kilometer stretch of the canal. The number of such recreational areas along the capital's canals and major irrigation ditches will increase; specifically, a project will be developed to create a continuous 20-kilometer pedestrian walkway along the Bozsu Canal.
New opportunities will also be leveraged to develop small businesses and the service sector within *mahallas* (local neighborhoods). For entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in Tashkent, the limit for unsecured loans will be raised from 100 million to 200 million soums.
In the Almazar district, the goal is to support 300 new entrepreneurs and create 1,000 jobs by the end of the year using these opportunities, while citywide, the aim is to provide 20,000 residents with gainful employment.
Special attention will be paid to fully utilizing the potential of the 305-hectare industrial zone located in the Miskin and Ibrohim Ota *mahallas*. There is potential here to increase the number of jobs from the current 35,000 to 100,000 and to boost export volumes to 600 million dollars. Entrepreneurs will be offered financial instruments such as industrial mortgages, loans, and leasing options.
Emphasis has been placed on the importance of training personnel to meet labor market needs and address employment issues. Employers in the Almazar district require approximately 5,000 specialists with various qualifications.
Consequently, a technical college with a capacity of 400 students—specializing in IT and advanced innovative technologies—will be established at the Almazar District Vocational Competence Center, while modern vocational training centers will be set up in existing buildings. Language courses for 500 people will be organized in partnership with Germany, and projects for the targeted training of medical personnel for the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be launched. Furthermore, plans are in place to attract 20 major recruitment companies from developed nations.
Work will begin on creating an innovation cluster within the 42-hectare "Youth Town" (Youth Campus) area; this cluster will include an IT park as well as high-tech industrial and educational facilities.
Special attention is being paid to fully unlocking the educational and scientific potential of the Almazar district. Currently, 75,000 students are studying there.
A unified management system will be implemented to oversee student education, accommodation, employment, social support, cultural activities, and safety. A dedicated directorate will be established to ensure decent living conditions for the nearly 18,000 young men and women residing in the 41 student dormitories belonging to seven higher education institutions.
Instructions have been issued to roll out the online access control and student attendance monitoring system—currently managed via the campus situation center—to other districts of the capital by the end of the year, and to all higher education institutions across the country next year.
Additional objectives have also been set to expand access to preschool education for children; the current coverage rate in the Almazar district stands at 67 percent. Drawing on the experience of Kindergarten No. 441—where a new building with a capacity of 450 was constructed to supplement the existing 385 places—instructions were issued to launch at least five similar projects by the end of the year.
Given that 1.5 million vehicles circulate through the capital daily, the need to address traffic congestion—not only by widening roads but also by implementing intelligent transport systems—was highlighted. A directive was issued to begin practical work in this area before the year ends.
The meeting also reviewed the results of a new approach to crime prevention implemented in the Almazar district. Collaboration between the Law Enforcement Academy’s faculty and investigators, alongside the introduction of a dual education system for cadets, is enhancing the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
As a result, no crimes were recorded in 13 of the district’s 64 *mahallas* (neighborhoods), and there are no longer any *mahallas* with a severe crime situation. The number of crimes involving women dropped from 22 to 10. At the same time, a task was set to replicate the Almazar district’s experience in sharply reducing offenses among the youth.
Instructions were given to continue systematic efforts to ensure the stability of energy and utility infrastructure and to improve the *mahallas*.
It was noted that the approaches and objectives examined in the context of the Almazar district are relevant to every single district of the capital.
Reports were heard from officials regarding the implementation of the assigned tasks.
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