President Mirziyoyev Charts Path for Economic Growth and Employment in Navoi Region
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a pivotal meeting focused on leveraging Navoi region’s untapped potential to boost economic growth, employment, and investment. Known for its robust infrastructure, thriving industry, and abundant natural resources, Navoi region has attracted $8 billion in investments and implemented 6,500 projects over the past seven years. This year alone, 577 projects valued at $2.2 billion are nearing completion.
During the meeting, proposals generated from the President’s previous visit to Navoi were reviewed. Key initiatives include establishing industrial enterprises near the chemical technology park in Karmana district, leveraging available infrastructure and raw materials to produce kaolin, quartz, silicon dioxide, and textile dyes by next year.
Chinese investors have expressed strong interest in mining and processing quartz and granite in Khatirchi district. Additionally, 11 mineral deposits across Kanimekh, Navbahor, and Uchquduq districts hold significant promise for development.
Plans to enhance tourism in the region were also unveiled. A 150-hectare recreational area around Lake Aydarkul will be developed to accommodate up to 10,000 tourists and create 200 jobs. In the villages of Sentob, Langar, and Angidon, 200 family guest houses will be established, attracting 600,000 tourists annually and providing employment for 500 people.
In agriculture, only 5% of Navoi’s 43% share of national pasture lands is currently utilized. To address this, 350,000 hectares will be cultivated with forage, medicinal, and spice crops adapted to the local climate using drone technology, with the land distributed to local residents. Goat and sheep breeding programs will also be expanded in Tomdi and Uchquduq districts.
Specialization plans for key districts include building materials, tourism, and livestock farming in Tomdi and Nurata; textiles and horticulture in Khatirchi, where a state-of-the-art laboratory is being developed to certify organic and GMO-free products. Intensive gardens and vineyards will be cultivated on 700 hectares across Navoi. Notably, sunflower seeds will be imported from Italy and planted on 10,000 hectares, creating income for 5,000 residents and meeting the region’s annual oil demand.
In the first 11 months of 2024, 111,000 jobs were created in Navoi, with plans to employ 140,000 people and lift 10,000 families out of poverty by 2025. However, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that current plans underutilize the region’s potential, urging a reassessment and implementation of new projects, particularly in Kanimekh, Nurata, Khatirchi, and Tomdi districts.
The President also directed training programs in modern professions to ensure employment opportunities for the unemployed both within Uzbekistan and abroad. Stressing Navoi’s broad economic opportunities and relatively small population, he called for strategic measures to transform the region into a model of economic vitality and zero unemployment.
