Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 17 November, Termez city hosted a meeting 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 industrial projects worth US$3 billion 300 million have been developed. Due to them, the regional economy will increase by 6.5 trillion soums, the local budget – by 1.6 trillion soums, exports – by US$100 million, and 2 thousand highly profitable jobs will be created.

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

“Surkhandarya has enormous economic potential, underground and above-ground wealth, and a brave and hardworking population. Currently, not even half of this potential is being used. It is necessary to create conditions and increase employment, investment, exports, and income many times over”, the Head of state said.

In this regard, guidelines have been set to attract US$1.5 billion in investment to the region, produce products worth 12 trillion soums in industry, export goods worth US$500 million, and reduce imports by US$100 million. It was noted that employing 400 thousand residents should be the main task of regional and district khokims.

It was emphasized that the largest reserve for attracting investment into the region and developing industry is the use of existing deposits.

Responsible persons were given instructions to develop reserves of lead, zinc, and gold, white marble in Sariasiya, coal in Baysun and Sariasiya, and potash fertilizers in Sherabad. The task has been set to expand geological research in mountainous areas.

Thanks to its natural soil and climatic conditions, Surkhandarya region can lead in growing early ripening products. However, as noted at the meeting, there are problems with the provision of high-yielding seeds and seedlings and the purchase of grown products. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to organize in vitro laboratories in 10 districts.

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

It was decided to create 6 storage, drying, and sorting centers in Angor, Jarkurgan, Qumkurgan, and Oltinsoy, as well as a logistics hub worth US$50 million in Termez district together with South Korea.

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

The problem of water shortage was raised at the meeting. 80 percent of the land in Surkhandarya region is irrigated by pumps, doubling the water cost, and 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are wasted.

“It is necessary to instill in people the idea that water is not free, together with local activists, representatives of the older generation, the intelligentsia, 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 canals and repairing 6 canals with the highest level of water losses.

The region’s tourism potential is also high. There are more than 600 cultural heritage and tourism sites located here. Currently, work has begun on organizing an open-air museum at the Dalvarzintepa Monument.

In continuation of this work, turning the Boybuloq, Teshiktosh, and Machay caves in Baysun and the Uzundara Monument into museums is necessary. Expeditions of foreign scientists will be organized in Khatak cave and Zarautsay Gorge in Sherabad. Another 10 mahallas will be turned into tourist villages.

The Omonkhona Sanatorium will be renovated and expanded, and a new sanatorium will be built. Projects worth US$200 million will be implemented in Baysun, Oltinsoy, Sariasiya, and Sherabad to construct cable cars, hotels, and service facilities.

Particular attention at the meeting was paid to social issues.

Opening herbal bars in every mahalla and pharmacy, developing home exercise programs, and a healthy diet menu to prevent diseases were emphasized.

Tasks have been set to equip and repair 509 schools, the Mother and Child Center, a children’s cardiac surgery department, and 44 family medical centers.

The need to assist such creative groups as “Boysun”, “Shalola”, “Boychechak”, and “Bulbuli Guyo” in participating in international festivals, creating a Golden Fund for the bakhshi (national storytellers), dastans (folk epics) and terma (short composition in the tradition of dastan) arts was noted.

It was decided to adopt a resolution to attract the youth of Surkhandarya to sports.

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