On April 9, a meeting was held in the Zarbdor district to discuss measures for the socio-economic development of Jizzakh region.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that the meeting was occurring on the eve of Ramadan Eid and extended heartfelt congratulations to the people on this significant day.

The meeting emphasized significant changes occurring in Jizzakh region, like in other regions of the Republic. In the last seven years, the region has attracted 5 billion UZD in investment and witnessed the launch of 2,500 new enterprises. During this period, 45,000 permanent jobs were created, and the number of entrepreneurs doubled. Most notably, there was a significant transition from agriculture to industry.

However, there are also untapped opportunities and pressing issues that need to be addressed. In some areas, there is a low growth of medium-sized enterprises that could offer population stable employment and wages.  Eighty percent of the region's industrial output is generated by three sectors. The volume of agricultural products produced does not correspond to the size of the land available.

Therefore, before the visit, representatives of the economic complex conducted an in-depth analysis of the districts and identified the potential for creating 57,000 jobs in the region. In total, 100 economic opportunities and reserves to stimulate the economy of Jizzakh region across 13 districts were highlighted.

The meeting explored these opportunities using the example of Zarbdor district. For instance, commercial banks in the district address the concerns of local entrepreneurs and assist them in expanding their activities. The capacity of Zarbdor Textile enterprise will be increased. Additionally, Rivoj Davr farm plans to grow melons on the lands allocated to the population and process them, which will allow it to export products worth 28 million UZD.

The Head of our state announced several initiatives to develop the economy of Jizzakh region.

The region possesses significant agricultural potential, yet there is currently insufficient production for export. Thus, a new system aimed at boosting crop yields will be introduced.

Specifically, banks will find entrepreneurial leaders across 309 mahallas and offer the population a financial package to generate income from their land plots. For this purpose, banks will provide entrepreneurs with loans of up to 1.5 billion UZS for a period of up to 3 years, grants of up to 1 billion UZS from the budget for attracting agronomists, training, organizing the collection, storage, and drying of products in the mahalla. Banks will also issue loans under the Family Entrepreneurship and The First Step into Business programs.

In the districts, a single contour will be designated for cultivating one type of crop across a total area of 500 hectares. Additionally, less fertile lands with yields below 16 centners will be allocated for growing vegetables and fruits.

As a result of these measures, it is projected that the production of fruits and vegetables can double within two years, reaching 3 million tons initially and then potentially expanding to 5 million tons. Consequently, this would lead to a 2-3-fold increase in processing and exports.

There are opportunities in the region to develop beekeeping based on home-based work. For example, placing beehives on forestry lands will provide jobs for a thousand families, generate additional income of 50 billion UZS, and export products worth 2 million USD. Therefore, a beekeeping center will be created in Zaamin district. The production of hives and equipment, packaging, and export of honey will be established.

A proposal to create a cluster on rainfed lands with a complete cycle of growing, drying, packaging, and refrigerated storage of white onions in Yangiabad district was supported. Additionally, opportunities for developing livestock, fish, and greenhouse farming were listed.  

The concreting Janubiy Mirzachol and Tuyatortar canals, along with the installation of pumps, will enhance agricultural opportunities. Officials have been tasked with implementing a three-year program in this regard.

There are numerous reserves for industrial development. For instance, Chinese investors have proposed projects worth 4 billion USD in Jizzakh, ranging from construction materials, chemistry, energy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. This is expected to drive industrial growth of 12 trillion UZS and create export opportunities worth 250 million USD.

To achieve this goal, an industrial technopark will be established in Zaamin district, facilitating the production of 50 new product types through 1 billion USD foreign investment. Additionally, a branch of the Jizzakh Industrial Zone will open in Shodlik Mahalla of Zarbdor district with the placement of 15 large projects worth 140 million USD. Furthermore, an industrial zone will be established in an unused facility in Sharaf Rashidov district, where enterprises in the electrical and leather industries will be launched.

In recent years, automobile manufacturing has emerged in Jizzakh. Through investments of 1 billion USD, the task has been set to increase vehicle production capacity by another 100,000 units, create 10,000 jobs in the next three years, and increase localization by up to 50 percent. 29 projects worth 220 million USD will be launched in the cotton and textile industry.

The electrical engineering enterprise Mono Electric has taken the initiative to employ people with visual impairments through home-based work.  The President supported this initiative, emphasizing the need to create a Jizzakh experience in employing persons with disabilities and expand such projects.

Instructions were issued to establish conducive conditions for tourism in the Aydar-Arnasay Lake system, arrange a "tourist ring" encompassing 10 cultural heritage sites, and repair the roads leading to them.

The meeting also addressed matters related to enhancing housing and mahalla infrastructure. This year, the plan is to construct 118 houses, providing a total of 4,500 apartments in the region.

Instructions were given for building additional houses in high-demand districts and repairing the perinatal center and bridges in Jizzakh.

An additional 300 billion UZS will be allocated to enhance mahalla infrastructure, support businesses, and provide grants in the JIzzakh region.

During the meeting, regional and district khokims and ministers presented information on the issues discussed. Communication occurred through video conferencing with Uzbek ambassadors abroad and the local community members.