Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 26 November, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting focused on improving the investment climate, business environment, and living standards in the Namangan region.

Over the past ten months, 681 projects have been implemented in the region, creating 21,000 jobs and generating production worth over 21 trillion soums, with US$702 million in exports. By year’s end, the region’s economy is expected to grow by 8%.

Looking ahead, goals for the next year are being defined. Working groups are currently visiting districts to gather proposals from entrepreneurs and develop future plans.

In Namangan, opportunities for 182 new projects worth US$527 million have been identified. For instance, expanding a small industrial zone in the Barkamol Avlod neighborhood of Namangan city could establish a leather and footwear production facility valued at US$60 million. Creating a similar zone in the "Namangan" area of Mingbulak district could result in projects worth US$25 million.

An entrepreneur from the Pap district, in collaboration with American partners, has proposed an US$80 million investment to process 1.8 million tons of fluorite annually, creating 200 jobs and generating US$70 million in exports. Another enterprise plans to invest US$40 million in cultivating medicinal plants on 5,000 hectares, producing confectionery products, and establishing a tourism center.

Additionally, lands with access to groundwater in the region could be used to grow rice, grains, medicinal, and forage crops. In Naryn district, fish farming is planned around irrigation wells. Improved irrigation in Chorkesar, Zarkent, and Isparan would enable the breeding of 100,000 head of cattle and goats.

A significant step will be introducing dual education at the Yangikurgan Agricultural Technical College in cooperation with the Potato Research Center, aimed at training qualified specialists and producing staple foods. Collaboration with beekeeping enterprises will support domestic beekeeping, providing additional income for households.

At the meeting, the khokim of Namangan presented plans to implement these projects, highlighting the goal of attracting US$4.2 billion in investments by 2025, creating 34,000 jobs, and achieving US$1 billion in exports.

By the end of this year, the poverty rate in the region is expected to decrease to 8%, with a further reduction to 5.3% by 2025, lifting 78,000 people out of poverty. Plans also include employing around 100,000 returning labor migrants.

The president stressed the importance of supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, ensuring favorable conditions for project implementation, and allocating funds for industrial infrastructure development in investment programs. Special attention was given to accelerating projects in small industrial zones, involving the population in entrepreneurship, and ensuring employment opportunities.