The president of Uzbekistan signed a decree on November 29, 2024, approving large-scale projects for the reconstruction of irrigation infrastructure in the Bukhara, Namangan, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya regions. These initiatives are designed to improve water supply for irrigated lands, conserve water resources, and support the sustainable development of Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector.
The reconstruction projects have been divided into two major components. The first includes the Bukhara, Namangan, and Surkhandarya regions, with an estimated cost of $160mn.
The second involves the reconstruction of irrigation infrastructure in Kashkadarya region, with a preliminary cost of $60mn. The Ministry of Water Resources' Center for the Implementation of Foreign Investment Projects is overseeing the projects, with financing provided through a preferential loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.
Two leading Chinese companies, CITIC Construction and China CAMC Engineering, have been chosen as the general contractors for the irrigation reconstruction projects. Work is set to begin in 2025, and agreements with the Export-Import Bank of China will be finalized following the approval of feasibility studies.
The government has allocated UZS 120bn ($9.3mn) from local budgets for advance payments on the Kashkadarya region project. These funds will be drawn from the regional and Karakalpakstan budgets. Changes to the 2025 State Budget will be implemented once the loan terms are finalized, ensuring smooth project execution.
The projects aim to enhance irrigation systems in critical agricultural areas, ultimately boosting water use efficiency and supporting long-term agricultural growth. With these initiatives, Uzbekistan seeks to optimize water usage across its key agricultural regions, addressing the growing demand for sustainable water management practices in the country’s farming industry.
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