ТАSHKENT, February 27. /Dunyo IA/.  President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a meeting on issues related to the socio-economic development of Surkhandarya region, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

“Surkhandarya is not only a picturesque land but also a homeland of people with strong spirit, high initiative, and a deep sense of dignity. The development of Surkhandarya means strengthening the southern pillar of New Uzbekistan”, - Head of our State noted at the beginning of his remarks.

According to the press service of the Leader of Uzbekistan, during the period under review, more than 8,000 projects totaling $5 billion have been commissioned in the region. Agreements have also been reached on investment and trade totaling another $10 billion with China, the United States, Russia, India, Austria, Hungary, and other countries.

Over the past nine years, preschool education coverage has increased from 28 to 68 percent. Twenty-three new schools have been built, and another 448 have been renovated. An additional 102,000 student places have been created. During this period, 32,000 families received housing in 688 apartment buildings. The “New Uzbekistan” residential areas have been established in Angor, Baysun, Jarkurgan, Sariosiyo, and Termez districts.

Thanks to the “Use of water from the Tupalang Reservoir” project, the supply of drinking water has been improved for 563,000 residents of the city of Termez and ten districts of the region.

It was noted that this year the regional and district hokims are tasked with increasing investment volume to $3 billion and exports to $1 billion. The importance of reducing the poverty rate to 2.8 percent and the unemployment rate to 4.5 percent was emphasized, as was turning Termez, Angor, Denau, Jarkurgan, Qiziriq and Muzrabat into areas free of poverty and unemployment.

The share of industry in the region’s economy has increased fivefold over the past nine years, reaching 10 percent. However, this figure remains insufficient. To expand industrial production, the need to accelerate the development of mineral deposits was emphasized.

It was instructed to begin coal extraction this year at the “Sanjar” deposit in Baysun and the “Oqsuv” deposit in Oltinsoy, and next year at the “Fangart” deposit. The South African company Sasol has expressed interest in producing polypropylene, polyethylene, and rubber from coal. Chinese investors are ready to invest $1 billion in the “Karakon”, “Jemsonit”, “Chukur”, and “Bayram-1” deposits in Sariosiyo. It was noted that natural stone reserves at the “Bezaktop” deposit in Baysun remain unexplored. The task was set to begin the necessary work at such sites.

The results of the International Trade Center in Termez were highlighted separately. Last year, more than 800,000 citizens of Afghanistan visited the center, and export volume totaled $320 million.

It was decided to expand the center’s territory to 1,000 hectares. It was emphasized that the implementation of new projects will significantly increase the scale of entrepreneurial activity and the flow of buyers. To ensure the rule of law within the center, a special prosecutor’s office and departments of internal affairs bodies will be established.

It was also noted that trade in goods and services within the center will be classified as exports and will be subject to a zero value-added tax rate.

Speaking about agricultural potential, the President emphasized that harvests are collected three to four times a year on 35,000 hectares of household plots in the region – a result unmatched in any other region.

The need was noted to expand the positive experience of the “Household Farming School” in Termez district across the entire region. It was instructed to establish such schools in Angor, Uzun, and Denau districts as well, and to launch two “innovative household farming schools” in each region of the country.

It was noted that greenhouse production in Surkhandarya costs two to three times less than in other regions. This year, based on the experience of Almería, Spain, it is planned to create solar-heated greenhouses on 1,000 hectares. Entrepreneurs building such greenhouses will be granted land on a free lease for five years and will be exempt from underground water fees for three years.

It was emphasized that another significant reserve of the region lies in its pastures. In particular, Baysun has 197,000 hectares of pastureland. By restoring pumps on the Darband River and supplying water, it will be possible to bring 10,000 hectares of pastures into use.

It was noted that, for the development of reserve pastures, the starting price at auctions will be set at 1 percent of the normative value. Entrepreneurs who purchase land at auction will be provided with a 10-year loan with a four-year grace period at an interest rate of 14 percent. A subsidy of up to 120 million UZS is also envisaged for supplying water to every 10 hectares.

Measures were defined to implement projects in the areas of poultry farming, livestock breeding, and beekeeping.

It was emphasized that one of the most pressing issues in the region remains road and transport infrastructure. A project is currently underway to pave 111 kilometers of the highway connecting Baysun and Denau with cement concrete. It is expected that once the road is commissioned, cargo traffic will increase twofold, while transport time will decrease from three hours to 1.5 hours.

This year, a major overhaul will begin on the 178-kilometer highway connecting the country with Afghanistan and Tajikistan, along with the adaptation of the “Tashguzar – Baysun – Kumkurgan” section for high-speed train movement and electrification works on the “Kumkurgan – Kudukli” railway. New air routes are planned to be opened between Termez and Istanbul, and between Termez and Dubai.

New buses will also be introduced on routes, primarily connecting Shurchi, Denau, Sariosiyo, Sherabad, and Baysun with Termez.

It was reported that by the end of the year, a project will be completed to provide centralized drinking water to 56,000 residents, the first such system in the history of Muzrabat. Projects will also begin to install sewerage systems in the centers of Muzrabat, Oltinsoy, Angor, Qiziriq, and Baysun.

It was noted that, jointly with partners, a scientific solution has been found to address a technologically complex issue at the large “25 Years of Independence” gas processing complex.

“We will stop the accident and at the same time launch a project that will give a strong impetus to the economy of Surkhandarya”, the President said.

The Head of State also addressed the region’s tourism potential.

It was noted that the region has more than 150 cultural heritage sites, including the complexes of Al-Hakim al-Termizi, Sultan Saodat, Kokildor Ota, and Qirq-Qiz. The Gissar, Baysuntag, Kuhitang, and Babatag mountains offer significant opportunities for mountaineering, trekking, and ecotourism. With full utilization of this potential, tourism revenues could reach up to $1 billion per year.

It was emphasized that the Eski Termez monument has not yet been fully studied. By developing tourism around the Buddhist heritage sites of Fayaztepa, Karatepa, Dalvarzin, and Zurmala, it would be possible to attract up to 500,000 tourists per year from Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand.

It was noted that more than 8,000 young people in Surkhandarya are actively engaged in kurash. This year, it was instructed to establish a modern training base for wrestlers at the “Zamondosh” camp in Denau. Beginning next academic year, a program combining sports and general education classes is to be organized at the Baysun boarding school.

At the meeting, a dialogue was held with regional activists, youth, and representatives of the older generation, and reports from hokims and responsible officials were heard. The President issued instructions to ensure strict oversight of the implementation of the assigned tasks and to achieve concrete results in each area.