Chinese investors are exploring opportunities to extract and process quartz and granite in Navoi region of, press service of the Uzbekistan's president report.
On December 7, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a meeting to discuss strategies for enhancing economic development, boosting employment, and increasing investment in the Navoi region. Known for its infrastructure, industrial capacity, and natural resources, the region has attracted $8bn in investments over the past seven years, resulting in the implementation of 6,500 projects. This year, 577 projects valued at $2.2bn are nearing completion.
During his recent visit to the region, the president issued directives for exploring new opportunities to stimulate economic growth. At the meeting, officials presented proposals developed in response to these instructions. Plans were discussed to establish new industrial enterprises on pasture lands near the chemical technology park in Karmana district. With available infrastructure and raw materials, projects such as the production of kaolin, quartz, silicon dioxide, and textile dyes are expected to launch as early as next year.
Chinese investors have expressed interest in extracting and processing quartz and granite in the Khatyrchi district, while 11 mineral deposits in Kanimekh, Navbakhor, and Uchkuduk districts were identified as promising for development.
In the tourism sector, a 150-hectare recreation area is planned around Lake Aydarkul, designed to accommodate 10,000 tourists and create 200 jobs. Additional initiatives include the establishment of 200 family guest houses in Sentob, Langar, and Angidon villages, located in the Nurata and Khatyrchi districts. These guest houses aim to attract 600,000 tourists annually, providing employment for 500 people.
Agricultural initiatives include efforts to address the underutilization of the region's pastures, which account for 43% of the country's total but are only 5% utilized. Plans were outlined to cultivate forage, medicinal, and spicy crops across 350,000 hectares using drones, with the land later distributed among the population. Livestock development, particularly goat and sheep breeding, will be emphasized in the Tamdy and Uchkuduk districts.
Additional economic activities were proposed for various districts. Tamdy and Nurata have the potential to specialize in building materials production, livestock farming, and tourism, while Khatyrchi district is positioned to focus on textiles and horticulture. In Khatyrchi, a modern laboratory is being established for certifying organic and non-GMO products, and intensive gardens and vineyards will be planted on 500 hectares in the district, as well as 200 hectares in Navbakhor.
Market-oriented agriculture was also addressed, with a proposal to import sunflower seeds from Italy and cultivate them as a secondary crop on 10,000 hectares. This initiative is expected to generate additional income for 5,000 residents while producing sufficient oil to meet the region’s annual demand.
Efforts to improve employment and reduce poverty were highlighted. Over the first 11 months of 2023, 111,000 individuals were employed in the region. By 2025, the plan is to provide employment to 140,000 people and lift 10,000 families out of poverty. Training programs in modern professions will be organized to ensure residents have access to high-paying jobs both domestically and abroad.
The khokim (mayor) of Navoi region presented plans to attract $2bn in investments and increase exports to $320mn by 2025. However, the President remarked that these targets did not fully align with the region’s potential and directed officials to revise their plans.
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