Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

According to the draft, a 470-hectare area in the Nurabad District of the Samarkand Region suggested to create into “Nurbulak”, a health resort city with the status of a city of regional subordination. Within one month, it is planned to grant the settlement the status of an urban settlement of regional significance, accompanied by the necessary administrative and territorial adjustments. The principal natural asset of the new resort will be its therapeutic thermal radon mineral springs.

Key Development Targets

The draft decree outlines the following strategic objectives:

• ensuring the efficient use of thermal mineral water resources and establishing health resort facilities that meet international standards;
• developing Nurbulak into a year-round health and wellness destination;
• increasing the number of sanatorium and wellness facilities to 50, with a total accommodation capacity of 7,400 beds;
• doubling the number of domestic and international visitors travelling to the city for medical treatment and wellness services, while increasing exports of medical and wellness tourism services by 2.3 times;
• extending the average visitor stay from 5 to 8 days;
• introducing a comprehensive system for professional education and workforce development in the medical tourism sector;
• establishing the Nurbulak brand as a nationally and internationally competitive centre for medical and wellness tourism.

Incentives for Investors

The draft provides a wide range of tax and customs incentives for investors implementing projects within the city. Land plots designated for tourism infrastructure development will be allocated through electronic online auctions in accordance with the city's master plan and subject to investors fulfilling their investment commitments.

Until 1 January 2035, investors establishing international SPA complexes and health resort facilities will be fully exempt from customs duties on imported equipment, technologies and raw materials. Also expected refund a 50 percent reduction in land tax.

In addition, starting from 1 October 2026, medical institutions providing services to foreign patients through licensed tour operators will receive a cashback equivalent to 50 percent of the value-added tax (VAT) paid on those services.

To finance investment projects, concessional loans will be made available through commercial banks using resources from the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The interest rate will not exceed the Central Bank's base rate. These funds will be directed toward the construction and equipment of sanatoriums specialising in radon-water therapy, as well as hotel infrastructure.

Infrastructure Development and Master Plan

The development of the city's transport, engineering and utility infrastructure will be financed through resources already allocated under existing programmes for the development of the Samarkand Region, as well as other sources permitted under national legislation. The regional administration has been instructed to prepare the city's master plan within six months. The costs of planning and technical expertise will be financed by the Tourism Infrastructure Development Fund for Mountainous and Remote Areas, with subsequent reimbursement from revenues generated through the sale of land plots.

Implementation of these measures is expected to unlock Nurbulak's unique natural potential, establish a new centre for medical and wellness tourism, increase international visitor arrivals, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

National “Avicenna” Brand for Medical Tourism

The draft decree also provides for the establishment of the national medical and wellness tourism brand “Avicenna” and the implementation of a dedicated programme for its international promotion.

As part of this initiative, a unified multilingual digital platform, Avicenna, will be launched in Uzbek, English, Russian, Chinese and Arabic. The platform will integrate information on medical institutions, health resorts, international certifications, tourism attractions, an interactive map, and an online inquiry service. All organisations included on the platform will undergo verification against established quality criteria before being entered into a unified national electronic register.

To promote the Avicenna brand internationally, Uzbekistan plans to participate under a single national pavilion at major international tourism and healthcare exhibitions, organise roadshows and B2B meetings in priority markets, and conduct advertising campaigns through international media and digital platforms. In addition, free medical consultations, diagnostic services and health screening campaigns will be organised under the Avicenna brand in neighbouring countries and other priority international markets, with the participation of Uzbekistan's leading medical institutions. Individuals requiring treatment will subsequently be referred to specialised healthcare institutions in the Republic of Uzbekistan.