12.07.2024

On July 12, a meeting on the priority tasks for the socio-economic development of the Fergana Region was held in Quva district.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the need for consistent development of the economy to meet the growing needs of the population.

- Fergana is a large area. Currently, the population exceeds 4 million people. With such an increase by 2030 it will reach 5 million. It is easy to say. However, how much responsibility is behind that number. Every year it is necessary to build new kindergartens and schools, houses, create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Therefore, the question of how to steadily develop our economy in these complex times should concern us all, - said the President.

Over the past seven years, there have been major changes in the region. Road, water, land, housing, education and health infrastructure have been improved. The volume of investments has increased threefold. There were 122 enterprises with a turnover of more than US $10 million.

Exports are also growing. Last year this figure amounted to US $722 million. Fergana enterprises entered 60 new markets.

However, the capacity at 19 enterprises has decreased. The launch of 3 projects is delayed. At 6,7 thousand enterprises reduced jobs. 135 enterprises exported last year, this year have not yet sold products abroad.

The region occupies the last place in the republic in terms of industrial growth. Fergana exported US $220 million worth of horticultural products last year under sufficient conditions. Only 30 percent of the yarn is recycled.

545 registered entrepreneurs did not open accounts, more than a thousand did not turnover through banks. In this regard, it was instructed to consider the issue of keeping in the district budget half of the income tax on individuals. It was noted that this would increase the interest of the district and bring entrepreneurs out of the shadows.

A lot of work has been done in our country to reduce poverty. Banking and financial instruments have been set up to help the unemployed and needy. There is now a need for a new approach.

The Head of State analyzed this on the example of the Baghdad district and noted that the system will be improved.

- No matter how many benefits we pay the poor, if we do not find them a job, they come back for social assistance again and again. Poverty reduction and social protection will therefore be integrated. This will be carried out by the Agency of Social Protection, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The meeting discussed the priorities for the development of the region’s economy.

According to the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated July 10, the territory of the free economic zone “Kokand” was expanded by 210 hectares at the expense of Pakan, Kokilon and Sufon makhallas of the city of Quvasoy. By the end of 2026, it is planned to invest at least $1 billion, create more than 11 thousand jobs, and produce products worth US $965 million a year. The tasks of responsible persons in this direction were identified.

Industrial zones specializing in specific industries will also be established in each of the 19 districts and cities based on Chinese experience.

In order to produce high-value-added products and increase the number of jobs, the State is prepared to allocate another 210 hectares of land. For this purpose, a directorate will be established at the regional administration to which the land will be transferred. Local entrepreneurs will be able to rent or purchase premises in industrial zones.

For the development of industry in the districts and makhallas US $50 million will be allocated for infrastructure expenses. 4-5-storey industrial centers will also be organized in 161 large makhallas.

The Head of State stressed the need to increase the number of projects capable of giving a great boost to the industry of Fergana.

In particular, projects worth US $2 billion will be implemented in the energy, oil and gas and chemical industries. With an investment of US $700 million, 230 new building materials will be produced.

Projects worth US $420 million will be implemented in the electrical industry, and projects worth US $500 million in the automotive industry. In particular, it is planned to build a plant in Quvasoy to produce charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as to establish the production of agricultural equipment. In the textile industry, it is planned to bring the processing of yarn up to 60 percent through a project worth US $300 million.

In the field of agriculture, it was noted that over the past three years 110 thousand inhabitants were allocated more than 25 thousand hectares of land. The importance of getting up to three crops per year on these lands was highlighted.

The next year will see the introduction of cotton planting technology based on the experience of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. A modern seed plant will be opened.

In the Fergana region on 200 hectares will be grown commercially high-yield varieties of raspberries from Italy and Poland. High-yield almond, peach, cherry and plum gardens will be created in Kushtepa and Yazyavan. Refrigerated warehouses will be established on the grounds of large gardeners.

A number of benefits for gardeners were announced. They will be compensated for up to 6 percent of loans received in foreign currency for projects for the storage, sorting and processing of horticultural products. To facilitate the activities of the 616 farmers in Quvasoy, the land tax will be reduced by half.

Fergana also has a large tourist potential. The issues of organization of helicopter flights to the villages of Shahimardan and Yordon, attribution of international status to the “Vuadil” and “Okkia” posts were considered. The responsible persons were instructed to draw up a master plan for these villages and the village of Vuadil. It was instructed to turn the Fergana district into a tourist recreational zone.

The meeting specifically addressed the development of agriculture, crafts and services in the Quva region, the construction of multi-storey houses, industrial enterprises, cultural and tourism facilities in Kokand and Margilan.

In order to raise to a new level the work of affirming in the hearts and consciousness of the young generation the love and devotion to the homeland, the value of the present peaceful and calm life, the feeling of gratitude, it was proposed to establish a Council of Elders and Parents' Groups in Kokand and Margilan, composed of representatives of the older generation, imam-khatibs, makhalla activists.

The participants supported this proposal and expressed confidence: if experience is created to guide young people with difficult upbringing, to help those who went down from the right path, to find their place, to educate and raise their spirituality, this will set an example for the whole republic.

In general, khokim of the region and his deputies, city and district leaders assured that they will increase their responsibility and will make every effort to increase the fixed capital by US $2.1 billion, provide employment to 400 thousand people, and lift 80 thousand families out of poverty. Deputies of the regional council will create a commission and take control of the achievement of targets.

Heads of banks and their regional subsidiaries told about their plans to finance production, services and employment programs.

The Head of State held an open dialogue with representatives of the public.