Chairman Khayrullo Bozarov at the Meeting. Photo Courtesy of the Uzbek President’s Press Service
Uzbekistan plans to establish free trade zones in the Besharyk district and the city of Kuvasay in the Ferghana region, according to discussions held during a December 3 meeting on socio-economic development, investment climate improvements, and business environment enhancements. The meeting was chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Besharyk, located on the border with Tajikistan, is already home to a trade and logistics center under construction, which will be converted into a free trade zone similar to the existing one in Termez, near Afghanistan. This initiative is expected to boost the region’s exports by $50 million and create 2,000 jobs. A similar trade and logistics complex is planned for Kuvasay, situated on the border with Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting highlighted significant growth in Ferghana's industrial sector over the past seven years, with the number of industrial enterprises tripling to 13,000. These developments were fueled by investment projects that generated 116,000 jobs. In the first 10 months of 2024 alone, the region attracted $1.5 billion in foreign investment and recorded $910 million in exports.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to further increase investment and create new employment opportunities in the region. Plans include expanding the Kokand Free Economic Zone by 210 hectares, which will house 185 projects worth $1 billion and generate approximately 12,000 jobs. Additionally, a 71-hectare technology park will be developed in Kokand, attracting $900 million in projects and creating 5,000 jobs.
Ferghana authorities have also signed investment agreements with Chinese firms worth $1 billion and South Korean businesses worth $240 million. Implementing these projects will require the establishment of industrial zones covering 1,210 hectares, providing jobs for 30,000 people.
Agriculture was another focus of the discussions. Ferghana has 91,000 hectares of arable land, which can be used more efficiently to enhance agricultural production and processing. For instance, Ferghana district produces 6,000 tons of raspberries annually, and there are proposals to increase their value through storage and processing initiatives.
Ferghana regional governor Khayrullo Bozarov presented plans to attract $3.7 billion in investment next year and increase exports to $1.5 billion. President Mirziyoyev instructed officials to refine these proposals and draft a resolution for the region’s economic development, stressing the importance of supporting exporters and reducing unemployment.
