President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan held a meeting on the socio-economic development of Kashkadarya region, setting ambitious goals for 2026. Due to its rich resources and developed industry, the region has shown steady growth: last year, gross regional product (GRP) increased by 6.8%, and the service sector grew by 13.6%. Notably, from 2017 to 2025, per capita GRP in the region grew 3.2 times, reaching 26.9 million soums.
By 2026, the region plans to achieve industrial growth of 8.6% and attract investments worth $3.5 billion. To meet these targets, 195 projects worth $1.7 billion will be launched. New production capacities for textiles, agricultural machinery, and electric vehicle charging stations will be established in the region. Special attention is given to creating the Mubarek Innovation Industrial Zone and the Karshi Green Technology Zone, which are expected to create about 6,000 jobs.
Authorities have set a goal to reduce the unemployment rate to 3.2% and the poverty rate to 3% by the end of 2026. Six districts of the region, including Guzar and Shahrisabz, are to become areas completely free from these issues. To support small businesses and self-employed individuals in mahallas, 820 billion soums in loans and over 52 billion soums in subsidies will be allocated, enabling the implementation of 31,000 micro-projects.
In the agricultural sector, a new livestock system and strengthening of the feed base are being introduced against the backdrop of rising global meat prices. By 2030, plans are to develop 200,000 hectares of land. Considering water scarcity, by 2026, concreting of 320 kilometers of main and 3,300 kilometers of internal canals is planned, along with modernization of 16 pumping stations, which is expected to save up to 800 million cubic meters of water.
Kashkadarya aims to maximize its tourism potential. The high-altitude center "Maydanoq" in Kamashi district and the international resort "Gelon" in Shahrisabz, designed for 13,000 tourists, will be created. In the social sphere, emphasis is placed on supporting women: plans include providing employment for 120,000 women and assisting 102,000 citizens under the "Women's Notebook" program.
An important direction will be organized labor migration in cooperation with Germany. By 2026, plans are to send 3,000 young people to work in Germany, and by 2027, 5,000. For their quality training, a special Education and Technology Center will open in Karshi. The head of state instructed to establish strict control over the implementation of all planned tasks to improve the living standards of the region's population.
Source: podrobno.uz