Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A ceremony marking the launch and commencement of construction of new enterprises took place in the Ferghana region, attended by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his address by noting that over the past five years, industrial output in Ferghana has increased by 1.3 times. Export volumes have nearly doubled, reaching US$722 million.

Investment volumes have also been steadily increasing. Whereas US$90 million in investments were implemented in the region in 2018, last year saw this figure rise to US$1.3 billion. The number of enterprises involving foreign capital has reached 470.

The region is currently advancing rapidly with the implementation of 110 projects involving US$6 billion in foreign investments and 22 local projects totaling US$1.1 billion. These projects will create over 20,000 new jobs.

"Previously, it was difficult to implement even six projects in the region. Today, we are talking about projects worth US$6 billion. We have grown, developed, convinced investors, and created favorable conditions. We will continue this work," stated Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In the Qoqand Free Economic Zone, approximately one hundred projects worth US$370 million have been implemented, generating 9,000 new jobs. In the first half of this year, these projects produced goods worth 1.5 trillion Uzbek soums and exported products worth US$60 million.

According to a recent presidential decree, this industrial zone will be expanded by 210 hectares along the city of Kuvasay. It will accommodate 185 projects totaling US$1 billion, creating 12,000 jobs. A Uzbek-Chinese special industrial zone covering 230 hectares will be established in Qoqand.

One of the successful projects is the mineral fertilizer plant in collaboration with the Singaporean company Indorama. Currently, its second phase for producing highly efficient complex fertilizers is underway, with plans for a third phase. This will result in an annual production capacity exceeding 300,000 tons and an additional export value of US$50 million.

Four new projects in the energy sector have been launched, including a solar power station in Besharyk district, an energy storage system in Uzbekistan district, and small hydroelectric power stations in Ferghana district.

Energy demand is growing by an average of 6% annually. Therefore, both traditional and renewable energy sources are being developed.

Over the past three years, US$2 billion in foreign investments have connected 10 solar and wind power stations with a total capacity of 2.4 gigawatts to the grid. By the end of this year, approximately 2.6 gigawatts of capacity from 12 stations will be connected. Thirty-two "green" projects with a total capacity of 18.3 gigawatts and a value of US$19 billion are being implemented.

In Besharyk district of Ferghana, construction has begun on a 500-megawatt solar power station in collaboration with the German company Hyper Partners. The first 200 megawatts will be connected to the grid this year and fully operational by next year. It will generate 1.6 billion kilowatt-hours of "green" energy annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of 675,000 households, saving 466 million cubic meters of natural gas.

In Uzbekistan, with US$144 million in foreign investments, the first 150-megawatt energy storage system is being built in collaboration with the Chinese company Gezhouba Group. It will be operational by the end of this year, ensuring grid stability amidst increasing demand for electricity.

These stations contribute to energy security, enhance economic efficiency, and improve ecological sustainability.

Efficient use of water resources is also crucial. Over the past seven years, investments totaling US$630 million have created over 400 megawatts of new capacity, increasing hydroelectric power capacity to 2.2 gigawatts.

Opportunities for the construction of 200 small and micro hydroelectric power stations with a capacity of 56 megawatts have been identified. A separate program has been adopted. Within the framework of the program, two small hydroelectric power stations have been built in remote areas of Ferghana district: a 2.2-megawatt station in Shahimardan village and a 430-kilowatt station in Yukori Vodil village. They will provide electricity to residents of nearby mahallas.

By pressing a symbolic button, the head of state officially launched the activities of enterprises and construction works under new projects.