Tashkent region’s large reserves are the basis for investments and jobs
On December 10 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting dedicated to the matters of effective use of underutilized opportunities, increasing the number of jobs and investments inflow to Tashkent region.
Tashkent region possesses a large potential in all spheres – industry, agriculture, services and tourism. In the past 7 years the region’s economy grew by 1,5 times, the number of industrial enterprises doubled and reached 12 thousand.
However the existing opportunities aren’t utilized in full. For instance, only 25 percent of all region’s land is used in agriculture. The income level from one hectare remains lower than in other regions.
Processing of agricultural products is at an extremely low level in such cities as Bekabad and Akhangaran, as well as Akkurgan, Chinaz and Piskent districts. Ensuring food security and exports of agricultural products also do not correspond to the potential.
At the meeting, held in a critical spirit, measures were outlined to improve the efficiency of land utilization. In particular, each cluster, farm and dekhkan farm will be entered into the information system “Agroplatform”. The system will include data on sown areas, production volumes, number of employees and tax revenues. It is planned to organize three-time harvesting next year in seven districts specializing in horticultural products on the area of 52 thousand hectares. Industrial orchards and vineyards will also be established on 5 thousand hectares.
In general, lands in 22 districts and cities of the region will be connected with processing and export enterprises. It is noted that this will make it possible to harvest 3.5 million tons of horticultural products next year and export them worth $500 million.
The infrastructure and logistics of Tashkent region are favorable for entrepreneurship. However, over the past three years, the area of production, trade and service facilities has increased by only 1.6 million square meters, which is 3.5 times less than in the capital. Of the 9 thousand hectares of land allocated for investment projects, 2 thousand hectares remain unused. A number of state-owned facilities are idle.
Meanwhile, investors are expressing interest in building a “smart city”, a medical cluster and “green” power plants in the region. Thousands of entrepreneurs from the capital and other regions are looking for sites for business expansion, construction of new enterprises, hotels, shopping and tourist complexes.
It was noted that there are shortcomings in the respective work of the State Assets Management Agency and responsible persons in the region. Instructions were given to auction buildings and land on favorable terms for entrepreneurs, as well as to increase investment, create new jobs and increase exports at the expense of these objects.
Hokim of Tashkent region presented plans for the next year to attract $5 billion in investments and increase exports to $2 billion.
The Head of State drew attention to the fact that half of the expected investments are planned to be directed to already developed cities - Almalyk, Angren, Chirchik, as well as Akhangaran, Zangiata and Kibray districts. In this regard, it was noted that it is necessary to develop additional projects in relatively lagging districts such as Akkurgan, Bekabad, Buka, Parkent, Piskent, Kuyichirchik and Chinaz to create new jobs.
It was emphasized that it is possible to increase the income of the entire population through the opportunities of Tashkent region. The task has been set to employ 700 thousand people next year, reduce unemployment to its natural level, lift 22 thousand families out of poverty, reducing the poverty rate from the current 7.2 percent to 4 percent, and provide jobs for migrant workers returning from abroad.
At the meeting, the President also talked to the region's entrepreneurs participating in the meeting. Paying special attention to their proposals and initiatives, he gave appropriate instructions to the responsible persons.
