Additional opportunities and further tasks for the development of Surkhandarya were discussed

On November 17, a meeting was held in the city of Termez with the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss measures for the socio-economic development of Surkhandarya region.

The region is consistently developing. There are many plans and opportunities ahead. In particular, 4 new large-scale industrial projects worth $ 3 billion 300 million have been formed. Due to them, the economy of the region will increase by 6.5 trillion soums, the local budget – by 1.6 trillion soums, exports – by $ 100 million, 2 thousand high-income jobs will be created.

For example, the gas chemical complex in Baisun worth $ 3 billion will clean 5 billion cubic meters of gas and produce natural gas and sulfur for 6 trillion soums per year. The region will receive an average of $120 million annually from exports. Geological exploration will be expanded and gas reserves will increase by another 100 billion cubic meters.

- Surkhandarya has a huge economic potential, underground and aboveground wealth, a brave and hardworking population. Currently, even half of this potential is not being used. It is necessary to create conditions and multiply increase employment, investment, exports and income," the head of state said.

In this regard, guidelines have been set to attract $ 1.5 billion in investments to the region, produce products worth 12 trillion soums in industry, export goods worth $ 500 million and reduce imports by $ 100 million. It is noted that the employment of 400 thousand residents should become the main task of the khokims of the region and districts.

It was emphasized that the largest reserve for attracting investments to the region and industrial development is the use of existing deposits.

The responsible persons were instructed to develop reserves of lead, zinc and gold, white marble in Saryasia, coal in Baysun and Saryasia, potash fertilizers in Sherabad. The task is to expand geological research in the mountainous regions of the region.

Due to its natural soil and climatic conditions, Surkhandarya region can be a leader in the cultivation of precocious products. However, it was noted at the meeting, there are problems with providing high-yielding seeds and seedlings, as well as with the purchase of grown products. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to organize in vitro laboratories in 10 districts.

Next year, equipment for drying, sorting and packaging, as well as 70 small refrigerators will be installed on the edges of the fields. Export-oriented crops such as onions, broccoli, rosemary, arugula, thyme, red basil, mint will be grown on 100 thousand hectares.

It was decided to create 6 storage, drying, sorting centers in Angora, Jarkurgan, Kumkurgan, Altynsai, as well as a logistics hub worth $ 50 million in the Termez district together with South Korea.

Fine-fiber cotton requires up to 15 percent less water and ripens earlier. Therefore, it was instructed to expand the area of cultivation of such cotton varieties to 50 thousand hectares, increase its processing to 30 percent, create a joint project on molecular genetics and breeding, a modern laboratory.

The meeting touched upon the problem of water shortage. 80 percent of the land in Surkhandarya region is irrigated by pumps, which doubles the cost of water, 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity is wasted.

- It is necessary to instill in people the idea that water is not free, together with local activists, representatives of the older generation, intellectuals and the general public to turn this idea into a rule of everyday life, - the President said.

Responsible persons were instructed to develop a two-year program for concreting 47 channels, repair 6 channels with the highest level of water loss.

The tourism potential of the region is also high. There are more than 600 objects of cultural heritage and tourism. Currently, work has begun on the organization of an open-air museum at the Dalvarzintepa monument.

In continuation of this work, it is necessary to turn the caves "Baibulak", "Teshiktas" and "Machai" in Baysun, the monument "Uzundara" into museums. Expeditions of foreign scientists will be organized in the Khatak cave and Zarautsay gorge in Sherabad. Another 10 mahallas will be turned into tourist villages.

The sanatorium "Omonkhona" will be renovated and expanded, a new sanatorium will be built. Projects worth $200 million for the construction of cable cars, hotels and service facilities will be implemented in Baysun, Altynsai, Saryasia and Sherabad.

Special attention was paid to social issues at the meeting.

The importance of opening phytobars in every mahalla and pharmacy for the prevention of diseases, developing home exercise programs and healthy food menus was emphasized.

Tasks have been set to equip and repair 509 schools, a Mother and child center, a pediatric cardiac surgery department and 44 family medical centers.

It is pointed out the need to assist such creative collectives as "Boysun", "Shalola", "Boychechak", "Bulbuli gue" in participating in international festivals, creating a Golden Fund of creativity of Bakhshi, dastans and term.

It was decided to adopt a separate resolution on attracting the youth of Surkhandarya to sports.

During the meeting, opinions and proposals of ministers and khokims, representatives of the intelligentsia and entrepreneurs were heard.