Projects for developing the creative economy and creating new cultural spaces were presented
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on developing the creative economy, improving the infrastructure of cultural institutions, and creating new creative spaces.
Today, the creative economy is becoming one of the main drivers of growth in many countries. This sector accounts for 3-7 percent of the global gross domestic product. In our country, the creative economy's share of GDP in 2024 was 3.7 percent, or 56.8 trillion soums, exports reached $770.6 million, and the sector employs more than 319,000 people.
The fact that over 60 percent of the population is young, as well as the rapid development of digital infrastructure and the presence of a rich cultural heritage, create a solid foundation for a "great leap" in this sector.
To this end, a separate law on the creative economy was adopted in 2024, creating a legal framework for this sector. The Creative Industries Park was established, and a special tax regime was introduced for its residents. In particular, the income tax and social tax rates were reduced from 12 percent to 6 percent. Entrepreneurs in the sector were granted a number of other benefits.
Through these measures, it is planned to increase the creative economy's share of GDP to 5 percent, or 145 trillion soums, by 2030, increase exports to $1 billion, and provide employment in this sector for more than 500,000 people.
The presentation discussed the concept of the Creative Industries Park, which will be located in Tashkent. Its territory will include a park, art installations, the Tashkent School of the International Programming Network, a book cafe, sports grounds, art pavilions, coworking spaces and office space, film and video production areas, a recording studio, a creative industries campus, and a hotel for youth and creative professionals. The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership.
Creative parks are also planned for New Tashkent and Nukus.
The park in New Tashkent will house rental spaces for creative residents, studios, media and conference rooms, and commercial and service facilities. The existing pavilion in Istiklol Park in Nukus will be reconstructed and transformed into a multifunctional public and cultural center.
The Nukus creative park project is notable for its inclusion of the national pavilion of Uzbekistan, which was showcased at EXPO 2025. A modern library will be built adjacent to it.
The activities of cultural centers were critically analyzed.
It was noted that more than half of the country's over 800 cultural centers are in need of repair. It was also noted that most centers still operate in the same way as before, primarily limited to hosting festive events.
In this regard, a pilot project has been developed to develop cultural centers based on modern standards. The project includes four centers in Tashkent, Kokand, Bukhara, and Samarkand, the first of which is being established at the Gulshan Cultural Center in Tashkent. Based on the principle of "culture - education - leisure - dialogue," it will house clubs, workshops, studios, and groups in various fields.
The presentation discussed plans to establish a Higher School of Traditional Arts in Tashkent, based on the experience of the Royal Foundation School in the United Kingdom.
This higher school will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in ceramics and brickwork, decorative painting, wood carving, architectural calligraphy, geometry, and biomorphic ornamentation. Instruction will be in English and will be offered over a two-year program. By 2027, it is planned to train 50 specialists, and by 2031, the institution will ensure the annual graduation of 80 qualified professionals.
The presentation also discussed projects to establish a National Institute for Restoration, restore the Bibikhanum Mosque in Samarkand, and renovate the summer amphitheater of the Turkiston Palace of Arts. It was noted that design and restoration work must be carried out in full coordination with UNESCO.
Noting the strategic importance of developing the creative economy for both the cultural sector and the economy as a whole, the head of state instructed that the planned projects be implemented with high quality.
The fact that over 60 percent of the population is young, as well as the rapid development of digital infrastructure and the presence of a rich cultural heritage, create a solid foundation for a "great leap" in this sector.
To this end, a separate law on the creative economy was adopted in 2024, creating a legal framework for this sector. The Creative Industries Park was established, and a special tax regime was introduced for its residents. In particular, the income tax and social tax rates were reduced from 12 percent to 6 percent. Entrepreneurs in the sector were granted a number of other benefits.
Through these measures, it is planned to increase the creative economy's share of GDP to 5 percent, or 145 trillion soums, by 2030, increase exports to $1 billion, and provide employment in this sector for more than 500,000 people.
The presentation discussed the concept of the Creative Industries Park, which will be located in Tashkent. Its territory will include a park, art installations, the Tashkent School of the International Programming Network, a book cafe, sports grounds, art pavilions, coworking spaces and office space, film and video production areas, a recording studio, a creative industries campus, and a hotel for youth and creative professionals. The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership.
Creative parks are also planned for New Tashkent and Nukus.
The park in New Tashkent will house rental spaces for creative residents, studios, media and conference rooms, and commercial and service facilities. The existing pavilion in Istiklol Park in Nukus will be reconstructed and transformed into a multifunctional public and cultural center.
The Nukus creative park project is notable for its inclusion of the national pavilion of Uzbekistan, which was showcased at EXPO 2025. A modern library will be built adjacent to it.
The activities of cultural centers were critically analyzed.
It was noted that more than half of the country's over 800 cultural centers are in need of repair. It was also noted that most centers still operate in the same way as before, primarily limited to hosting festive events.
In this regard, a pilot project has been developed to develop cultural centers based on modern standards. The project includes four centers in Tashkent, Kokand, Bukhara, and Samarkand, the first of which is being established at the Gulshan Cultural Center in Tashkent. Based on the principle of "culture - education - leisure - dialogue," it will house clubs, workshops, studios, and groups in various fields.
The presentation discussed plans to establish a Higher School of Traditional Arts in Tashkent, based on the experience of the Royal Foundation School in the United Kingdom.
This higher school will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in ceramics and brickwork, decorative painting, wood carving, architectural calligraphy, geometry, and biomorphic ornamentation. Instruction will be in English and will be offered over a two-year program. By 2027, it is planned to train 50 specialists, and by 2031, the institution will ensure the annual graduation of 80 qualified professionals.
The presentation also discussed projects to establish a National Institute for Restoration, restore the Bibikhanum Mosque in Samarkand, and renovate the summer amphitheater of the Turkiston Palace of Arts. It was noted that design and restoration work must be carried out in full coordination with UNESCO.
Noting the strategic importance of developing the creative economy for both the cultural sector and the economy as a whole, the head of state instructed that the planned projects be implemented with high quality.
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