At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the comprehensive development of Surkhandarya region, priority tasks for 2026 were set, focusing on investments, exports, industrial expansion, and reducing poverty and unemployment.
The meeting noted that the regional governor and district governors have been tasked with increasing investment volume to $3 billion and exports to $1 billion this year. It also emphasized the importance of reducing the poverty rate in the region to 2.8% and unemployment to 4.5%.
The head of state specifically highlighted the need to turn the city of Termez, along with Angor, Denov, Jarqurghon, Qiziriq, and Muzrabot districts, into "poverty- and unemployment-free zones."
It was reported that over the past nine years, the share of industry in the region's economy has increased fivefold, reaching 10%. However, it was noted that this indicator remains low.
The meeting stated that despite the region having coal reserves of 100 million tons, only 1% of this volume is extracted annually. In this regard, instructions were given to start coal mining this year at the "Sanjar" deposit in Boysun, "Oqsuv" in Altynsay district, and next year at the "Fangart" deposit.
It was also reported that the South African company "Sosol" has shown interest in projects to produce polypropylene, polyethylene, and rubber from coal. Chinese investors are ready to invest $1 billion in the "Qoraqon," "Jemsonit," "Chuqur," and "Bayram-1" deposits in Sariosiyo district.
Overall, emphasizing that these reserves serve as a ready raw material base for electrical engineering, construction, chemical, metallurgical, and automotive industries, instructions were given to conduct calculations for placing industrial enterprises around the deposits and develop projects worth at least $200 million.
Additionally, it was noted that the natural stone reserves at the "Bezaktop" deposit in Boysun are insufficiently studied, with quality that can compete with Iranian, Turkish, and Italian products. Orders were given to start geological exploration at similar deposits.
Source: kun.uz