The economic opportunities of Kashkadarya are analyzed, additional tasks for their implementation are identified

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On October 25, a meeting on the socio-economic development of Kashkadarya region was held in the city of Karshi under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was noted that against the background of increasing tension in the world, it is necessary for the development of our country to fight against a sense of indifference and work with full dedication.

- In the name of peace in the country, the prosperous future of our people, we need to create new enterprises, enter new markets, attract investment, create jobs and sources of large income. If the turbulence in the global market and trade restrictions in partner countries continue, where and how will we sell products? Which companies and what kind of support is needed for this? - Shavkat Mirziyoyev put the questions.

In this regard, the meeting focused on the development of industry, tourism, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

For example, in the industrial zones of Dehkanabad, Kitab and Karshi districts, 100 hectares of land are empty. Entrepreneurs have taken the initiative to invest $ 300 million there and create 3.5 thousand jobs. There is also an opportunity to launch projects worth $ 50 million for the processing of meat, milk and vegetables.

The Head of State said that the economy of Kashkadarya should not depend only on large enterprises. The growth rate of consumer goods production in the region is 3 times less than the republican indicator. Moreover, in terms of the share of small business in industry, the region is in the last places.

For example, 150 thousand tons of polyethylene pellets are produced in Kashkadarya per year, while only 4 percent of this product is processed in the region itself. It is possible to launch the production of a wide range of products based on cement, gypsum and marble in Kamashi, graphite in Shakhrisabz district, quartz sand in Yakkabag, manganese in Chirakchi, dolomite and clay in Kitab.

The region is able to attract tourists all year round. However, now tourism is limited to the city of Shakhrisabz and mountainous areas. Since the beginning of the year, 180 thousand foreign tourists have come to Kashkadarya, and 3.5 million to neighboring Samarkand and Bukhara.

The head of our state showed the ways to create a favorable infrastructure and increase the number of tourists.

In particular, a master plan of three tourist mahallas in Shakhrisabz district has been prepared together with German partners. This will create additional investments of $450 million and infrastructure that will attract 1 million tourists a year. The projects aroused great interest among entrepreneurs. Thanks to this, an additional 500 billion soums are expected to be received from tourism in Shakhrisabz, as well as the creation of 5,000 new permanent jobs.

In addition, the reception of civil aviation will be established at Shakhrisabz airport. From January 1, local flights to Samarkand, Bukhara, Khorezm and valley regions will be increased. The number of Tashkent-Karshi flights will increase from 2 to 7 times a week. As a result, the cost of air tickets may decrease by 2 times, the flow of foreign and local tourists may increase by 3 times.

Also, in order to facilitate trips to the region by car, the requirements for driving through the Takhtakoracha pass will be relaxed. Next year, construction of a new tunnel and road will begin at the pass. A 30-kilometer road connecting Samarkand and Shakhrisabz and a 100-kilometer section of the Guzar-Bukhara road will be repaired.

In general, the task has been set to increase the number of foreign tourists to 500 thousand next year.

There is also great potential in agriculture. Kashkadarya is the largest producer of grain and cotton in the republic. However, the textile industry, capable of providing many jobs, processes only 30 percent of raw materials, and there is no capacity for painting fabrics. Due to the development of these industries, it is possible to provide 500 billion soums of income and employ an additional 60 thousand young people and women.

In this regard, 33 major projects worth $ 370 million will be launched in the region next year. Due to this, the production of finished knitwear will increase 1.6 times, the production of fabrics – 3.1 times, 8 thousand jobs will be created.

It was noted that it is necessary to create a textile technology park in the region and attract well-known European brands there.

There are 1.4 million hectares of pastures in the region. This is a natural food base for 7 million heads of large and small cattle. But in Mirishkor, Mubarek and Nishan, 20 percent of pastures have degraded, another 25 percent have no green cover.

In this regard, a greening program of 100 thousand hectares of pasture lands will be implemented next year. At the same time, seed farms of crops resistant to drought, heat and desertification will be organized, fruit and vegetable and medicinal plants will be planted, tree groves will be created, water-saving technologies will be introduced. Solar pumps will be installed and a pilot project on sprinkler irrigation will be launched.

In addition, a laboratory for genetic research of livestock will be created, and new national breeds will be bred on the basis of the Spanish Assaf sheep breed.

The responsible persons are tasked with creating an electronic map of 1.4 million hectares of pastures and providing employment for 100 thousand people on them.

The President noted that the issue of providing crops with water is becoming more difficult every year. This problem is especially relevant for Kashkadarya. However, water-saving technologies have been implemented only on 16 percent of 515 thousand hectares.

Therefore, 15 laser levels will be brought to the region for the needs of farmers in Kasan, Mirishkor, Kasbi and Nishan, where water supply is difficult.

It is emphasized that 30 percent of water can be saved by gradually transferring the irrigation network to a closed system. Officials were given instructions on concreting channels, purchasing additional pumps and equipment, and upgrading the Pakhtaabad canal.

Special attention was paid to the issue of working with young people. It was noted that the training of personnel for such areas as electrical engineering, the food industry and the production of building materials is not sufficiently established in the region. For example, no IT centers have been created in any district except the city of Karshi. In the vacant premises of 60 colleges, it is possible to organize both production and practical training.

The President approved the initiative of the Kitab entrepreneur to open an IT cluster and a university.

The khokims of regions and districts were instructed to determine the need of employers for mid-level specialists, to open practical workshops and workshops of employers in educational institutions. 30 billion soums will be allocated for these purposes.

It is indicated that 42 percent of the population of the region has an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular ailments and diabetes mellitus due to the problem of excess weight. The President expressed concern about the current situation and stressed the need to strengthen the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and increase the potential of the healthcare system in the region.

For this purpose, a modern cardiology center will be created in Kitab together with Russian partners. Plans have been defined for the launch of mobile polyclinics, the creation of a modern polyclinic with 600 beds on the basis of a regional multidisciplinary medical center.

Khokim of Kashkadarya region M.Azimov reported on plans for the next year to attract $ 1 billion in investments, produce industrial products worth 40 trillion soums, export goods worth $ 500 million, reduce exports by $ 200 million, attract 500 thousand foreign tourists and provide jobs for 550 thousand people.

The ministers and khokims presented reports on each issue on the agenda of the meeting.

This was the end of the trip to Kashkadarya region, and the head of our state returned to Tashkent.