27.02.2026

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on the socio-economic development of the Surkhandarya region.

“Surkhandarya is not only a picturesque land, but also a land of people with strong spirit, great initiative and a profound sense of dignity. The development of Surkhandarya means strengthening the southern pillar of New Uzbekistan,” noted the Head of state at the beginning of his address.

Over the past period, more than 8,000 projects with a total value of $5 billion have been launched in the region. In addition, agreements on investment and trade amounting to a further $10 billion have been reached with China, the United States, Russia, India, Austria, Hungary and other countries.

Over the past nine years, preschool enrolment has increased from 28 to 68 per cent. Twenty-three new schools have been constructed and a further 448 have been renovated, creating an additional 102,000 student places. During this period, 32,000 families were provided with housing in 688 apartment buildings. Modern “Yangi O‘zbekiston” residential areas have been established in the Angor, Baysun, Jarkurgan, Sariosiyo and Termiz districts.

Owing to the implementation of the project “Utilization of Water from the Tupalang Reservoir,” the drinking water supply has been improved for 563,000 residents of Termiz city and ten districts of the region.

At the meeting, it was noted that the regional and district khokims this year are tasked with bringing the volume of investment to $3 billion and exports to $1 billion. The importance of reducing the poverty rate to 2.8 per cent and unemployment to 4.5 per cent, as well as turning Termiz, Angor, Denau, Jarkurgan, Qiziriq and Muzrabot into territories free from poverty and unemployment, was emphasized.

The share of industry in the region’s economy has grown fivefold over the past nine years, reaching 10 per cent, however, this indicator remains insufficient. To further increase industrial output, the need to accelerate the development of mineral deposits was underscored.

It was instructed to commence coal mining this year at the “Sanzhar” deposit in Baysun and the “Oksuv” deposit in Oltinsoy, and next year at the “Fangart” deposit. The South African company “Sasol” has expressed interest in producing polypropylene, polyethylene and rubber from coal.Chinese investors have expressed their readiness to invest $1 billion in the “Karakon”, “Zhemsonit”, “Chukur” and “Bayram-1” deposits in Sariosiyo.It was also noted that unexplored reserves of natural stone remain at the “Bezaptop” deposit in Baysun, and instructions were given to begin the necessary work at such sites.

The results of the International Trade Center in Termiz were noted separately. Last year, it was visited by more than 800,000 citizens of Afghanistan, and export volumes amounted to $320 million.

It was decided to expand the center’s territory to 1,000 hectares. It was emphasized that the implementation of new projects would significantly increase the scale of entrepreneurial activity and the flow of buyers. To ensure the rule of law within the center, a specialized prosecutor’s office and a subdivision of the internal affairs bodies will be established.

It was also noted that goods and services traded within the centre will be classified as exports and will be subject to a zero rate of value-added tax.

Speaking about the region’s agricultural potential, the President stressed that crops are harvested three to four times a year on 35,000 hectares of household plots — a figure unmatched in any other region of the country.

The need to replicate the positive experience of the “School of Household Farming” in Termiz district across the entire region was underscored. It was instructed to establish similar schools in the Angor, Uzun and Denau districts, as well as to launch two innovative schools of household farming in each region of the country.

It was noted that under the climatic conditions of Surkhandarya, greenhouse production costs are two to three times lower than in other regions. This year, drawing on the experience of Almería, Spain, it is planned to develop solar-heated greenhouses on 1,000 hectares. Entrepreneurs constructing such facilities will be granted land on a five-year free lease and exempted from groundwater usage fees for three years.

It was emphasized that another significant reserve of the region is its pastures. In particular, Boysun has 197,000 hectares of pastureland. By restoring the pumps on the Darband River and supplying water, it will be possible to bring 10,000 hectares of pasture into use.

It was noted that, for the development of reserve pastures, the starting price at auctions will be set at 1 per cent of the normative value. Entrepreneurs acquiring land through auction will be provided with 10-year loans at 14 per cent interest, including a four-year grace period. A subsidy of up to 120 million sums will also be allocated for water supply for every 10 hectares.

Measures for the implementation of projects in poultry farming, livestock breeding, and beekeeping have been defined.

It was stressed that one of the most pressing issues in the region remains road and transport infrastructure. A project is currently underway to pave 111 kilometers of the highway connecting Boysun and Denau with cement concrete. It is expected that, once the road is commissioned, freight traffic will double and travel time will be reduced from three hours to one and a half hours.

This year, capital repairs will commence on the 178-kilometre highway linking the country with Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Plans also include adapting the “Tashguzar – Boysun – Kumkurgan” section for high-speed rail traffic, as well as carrying out electrification works on the “Kumkurgan – Kudukli” railway line. It is planned to open new flights on the routes Termiz – Istanbul and Termiz – Dubai.

New buses will also be introduced on routes, primarily from Shurchi, Denau, Sariosiyo, Sherobod and Boysun to Termez.

It was reported that, by the end of the year, the first-ever project to provide centralised drinking water supply to 56,000 residents of Muzrabot will be completed. Projects to install sewerage systems in the district centres of Muzrabot, Oltinsoy, Angor, Qiziriq and Boysun will also commence.

It was noted that, in cooperation with partners, a scientific solution has been found to address a technologically complex issue at the large gas processing complex “25th Anniversary of Independence.”

“We will eliminate the failure and simultaneously launch a project that will provide a powerful impetus to the economy of Surkhandarya,” said the President.

The Head of state also focused on the region’s tourism potential.

It was noted that the region is home to more than 150 cultural heritage sites, including the complexes of Al-Hakim at-Termizi, Sultan Saodat, Kokildor Ota and Kirkkiz. The Gissar, Boysuntog, Kuhitang and Bobotog mountain ranges offer extensive opportunities for mountaineering, trekking and ecotourism. By fully harnessing this potential, tourism revenues could reach up to $1 billion annually.

It was emphasized that the Eski Termiz (Old Termiz) site has not yet been fully explored. By developing tourism around the Buddhist heritage monuments of Fayaztepa, Karatepa, Dalvarzin and Zurmala, it will be possible to attract up to 500,000 tourists annually from Japan, Korea, China and Thailand.

It was noted that more than 8,000 young people in Surkhandarya are involved in kurash. This year, instructions were given to establish a modern training base for wrestlers at the “Zamondosh” camp in Denau.Starting from the next academic year, a programme combining sports and general education will be introduced at the Boysun boarding school.

During the meeting, an open dialogue was held with regional officials and activists, youth representatives and members of the older generation, and reports were heard from khokims and responsible leaders. The President instructed that strict oversight be ensured over the implementation of the assigned tasks and the achievement of concrete results in each area.