25.11.2025

On November 25, an extraordinary session of the Samarkand Regional Kengash of people's deputies was held.  President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in it.

At the beginning of his speech, the Head of State expressed satisfaction with the meeting with the region’s community and highlighted the achievements, as well as opportunities yet to be utilized. 

- Samarkand, which has absorbed a thousand years of history and rich traditions, is transforming every day thanks to modern architectural approaches and strengthening its place in world civilization, - noted the President.

In particular, the creation of the "Eternal City" complex, improvement of more than 40 shrines, reconstruction of the "Samarkand" international airport, and the opening of dozens of international brand hotels have taken the region's tourism potential to a new level.

In recent years, Samarkand has become a political, economic, tourism, and business center, and a platform for dialogue for numerous major international events, forums, and conferences.

Organization of over 40 prestigious international conferences this year alone, and especially the recent hosting of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference, was truly historic.

Overall, $1 billion worth of investment was attracted in tourism and related sectors. As a result, the flow of tourists to the region has increased sevenfold since 2016, and the export of tourism services has reached $600 million.

Today, Samarkand is becoming a truly attractive destination not just for tourists, but also investors and entrepreneurs, thanks to the great potential in industry, agriculture, and services.

Over the past eight years, $12 billion in investments have been attracted to the region, 600 thousand permanent jobs have been created, and the number of entrepreneurs has doubled. The number of manufacturing enterprises has increased 1.5 times, industrial volume has grown 1.7 times. The number of enterprises with an annual turnover of over 100 billion soums has reached 81. Foreign investors from 55 countries have started operations, and the number of enterprises with foreign participation has approached 700.

Services sector is growing by an average of 15% annually, and this year the volume of services is expected to reach 75 trillion soums.

Moreover, in 2024 and the first 10 months of this year, 15 million square meters of residential and commercial properties were built. Samarkand-based builders are constructing 4.5 million square meters of buildings and facilities annually throughout the republic.

The gross regional product of the region increased from 23 trillion soums in 2016 to 120 trillion soums this year.

Residents note the great positive changes that have taken place in the lives of their families due to the work carried out in the region.

For example, over the past period, 3,200 kilometers of drinking water and sewage networks were built at a cost of 2 trillion soums.

The President noted that Samarkand was transformed into an attractive territory for both the people and entrepreneurs, as well as tourists and investors.

In Urgut district, the most populous in the republics, over 600 thousand people reside. 

For many years this district is a leader in agriculture sector. The creation of “Urgut” free economic zone on a hilly area and the launch of 74 projects worth $860 million have transformed the district into an industrially developed area.

Industrial development has also provided a significant boost to trade and services. Today Urgut district ranks third in the region for industry and fourth for services.

Today, another historic event took place in Urgut – the commissioning of a 55-kilometer railway line. The electrification of this line will be fully completed next year. This will create more convenient conditions for the population and open up new opportunities in industry, agriculture, and services.

It was noted that the district’s population has long been waiting for solutions to issues related to housing, sewage, drinking water, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and business infrastructure.

Therefore, the President signed a decree to transform the center of Urgut into one of the most modern and attractive cities of the country in the spirit of New Uzbekistan. 

A modern eco-city for 100 thousand residents will be built on a 90-hectare site adjacent to the Kuyi Kamangaron mahalla. A total of $50 million will be allocated for the construction of roads, drinking water, sewage, power grids, schools, kindergartens, medical facilities, and other infrastructure.

A single administrative center for 35 district organizations will be built on a 3-hectare site. The vacated buildings will be offered to the private sector.

Another important news is that 17,5 thousand hectares of land in the Okdaryo, Payaryk, Pastdargom, Taylak, and Samarkand districts will be annexed to the city of Samarkand. As a result, the city's population will increase from 604 thousand to 882 thousand people.

In this regard, to meet the growing demand for modern housing, three large areas of the city of Samarkand have been identified: housing for 180 thousand people will be built in the Shirin area, for 100 thousand people in the Temiryul Orti area, and for 30 thousand people in the Korasuv-2 area. 

More than 700 modern apartment buildings, schools, kindergartens, a higher education institution, a hospital, modern business and shopping centers, hotels, and recreation areas will be built here. In cooperation with Spanish investors, the sewage system of these districts will be renovated in the format of a public-private partnership.

To reduce freight traffic in the city, four logistics centers will be built along the highway passing through Akdarya, Taylak, and Samarkand districts.

Using Urgut as an example, the Head of State analyzed the region's potential and set specific tasks for ministers and hokims for the coming year.

The session also addressed organizational issues.

The President noted that the country has set itself ambitious goals: to uphold human dignity, achieve sustainable economic growth, and improve the well-being of the population. To accomplish these tasks, the region needs a leader with a modern mindset who is capable of systematically analyzing problems and proposing innovative solutions.

The President proposed Adiz Boboev, acting governor of the region, for the position of khokim (governor) of Samarkand region.

After hearing the opinions of the activists, the issue was put to a vote. As a result, Adiz Boboev was approved for the position of khokim of the region.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of State was briefed with reports and plans from the responsible officials.