Problems in Fergana analyzed, and new measures for developing entrepreneurship identified

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the need for consistent economic development to meet the population’s growing needs.

“Fergana is a large region. Currently, the population exceeds 4 million people. With such growth, it will reach 5 million by 2030. It is easy to say. But how much responsibility lies behind this figure. Every year, building new kindergartens, schools, and houses and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs is necessary. Therefore, the question of how to steadily develop our economy in the current turbulent times should worry us all”, the President said.

Significant changes have occurred in the region over the past seven years. Road, water, land, housing, educational, and medical infrastructure have improved. The volume of investments has increased threefold. 122 enterprises with a turnover of more than $10 million have appeared.

Export is also growing. Last year, this figure was $722 million. Fergana enterprises entered 60 new markets.

However, the capacity of 19 enterprises has decreased. The launch of 3 projects is delayed. Jobs have been cut at 6.7 thousand enterprises. 135 enterprises that exported last year have not yet sold their products abroad this year.

The region ranks last in the country in terms of industrial growth. Fergana exported fruit and vegetable products worth $220 million last year with sufficient conditions. Only 30 percent of yarn is processed.

545 registered entrepreneurs have not opened accounts, and over a thousand have not conducted their turnover through banks. In this regard, it was instructed to consider the issue of leaving half of the personal income tax in the district budget. It was noted that this will increase the district’s interest and bring entrepreneurs out of the shadows.

Large-scale activity has been carried out in the country to reduce poverty. Banking and financial instruments for helping the unemployed and those in need have been established. Now, a new approach is needed.

The Head of state analyzed this using the Baghdad district as an example and noted that the system would be improved.

“No matter how many benefits we pay to the poor, if we do not find them a job, they will come again and again for social assistance. Therefore, poverty reduction and social protection will now be in one system. The Social Protection Agency will carry this out”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

Priority tasks for developing the region’s economy were discussed at the meeting.

According to the resolution of the President of Uzbekistan of July 10, the territory of the Kokand Free Economic Zone was expanded by 210 hectares at the expense of the Pakana, Kokilon and Sufon mahallas of the city of Quvasoy. By the end of 2026, it is planned to develop investments worth at least $1 billion, create more than 11 thousand jobs, and manufacture products worth $965 million a year. The tasks of responsible persons in this direction were outlined. 

Also, in each of the 19 districts and cities, industrial zones specializing in specific areas of industry will be created based on Chinese experience.

The state is ready to allocate another 1,210 hectares of land to produce products with high-added value and increase the number of jobs. For this purpose, a directorate will be created under the regional hokimiyat, to which these lands will be transferred. Local entrepreneurs will be able to rent or purchase premises in industrial zones.

$50 million will be allocated for infrastructure costs in the districts and mahallas to support industry development. Four- to five-story industrial centers will also be organized in 161 large mahallas.

The Head of state emphasized the need to increase the number of projects that can boost the Fergana industry.

In particular, projects worth $2 billion will be implemented in the energy, oil and gas, and chemical industries. Due to investments of $700 million, the production of 230 new building materials will be established.

Projects worth $420 million will be implemented in the electrical engineering industry and $500 million in the automotive industry. In particular, an enterprise for producing charging stations for electric vehicles in Quvasoy and the establishment of agricultural machinery production are planned. Implementing a project worth $300 million in the textile industry will increase yarn processing by 60 percent.

Touching upon the agricultural sector, it was noted that over the past three years, more than 25 thousand hectares of land have been allocated to 110 thousand residents. The importance of obtaining up to three harvests per year on these lands was noted.

In Fergana district, high-yielding varieties of raspberries from Italy and Poland will be grown industrially on 200 hectares. High-yielding almond, peach, cherry, and plum orchards will be created in Qushtepa and Yazyavan. Cold storage warehouses will be organized on the lands of large gardeners. 

Several benefits for gardening entrepreneurs have been announced. They will be compensated up to 6 percent of loans received in foreign currency for projects involving the storage, sorting, and processing of fruit and vegetable products. The land tax will be reduced by half to facilitate the activities of 616 farmers in Quvasoy city.

Fergana also has excellent tourism potential. The issues of organizing helicopter flights to the villages of Shakhimardan and Yordon, and assigning international status to the posts of “Vuadil” and “Okkiya” were considered. Responsible persons were instructed to develop a master plan for these villages and the settlement of Vuadil. Instructions were given on how to turn the Fergana district into a tourist recreational zone.

Issues of developing agriculture, handicrafts and services in Quva district, the construction of multi-storey buildings, industrial enterprises, cultural and tourism facilities in Kokand and Margilan, were also considered. 

To raise the work to a new level for affirming in the hearts and minds of the younger generation love and devotion to the Motherland, the value of the current peaceful and tranquil life, and a sense of gratitude, it was proposed to create in Kokand and Margilan a Council of Elders and parent groups from among representatives of the older generation, imam-khatibs, and mahalla activists.

Those gathered supported this proposal and expressed confidence: if experience is created in guiding young people with difficult upbringing, helping young people who have strayed from the right path, who have found themselves in a problematic situation in search of their place, enlightenment, and raising spirituality, this will become an example for the entire country.

In general, the Regional Hokim and his deputies, heads of cities, and districts assured that they would increase their responsibility and make every effort to improve the fixed capital by $2.1 billion, employ 400 thousand people, and lift 80 thousand families out of poverty. Deputies of the Regional Council will create a commission and control the achievement of target indicators.

The heads of banks and their regional branches discussed their plans for financing production, services, and employment programs.

The Head of state held an open dialogue with public representatives.