Free trade zones will be established in the Besharyk district and the city of Kuvasay in Uzbekistan's Fergana region. Fergana news agency says this was announced on December 3 during a meeting held by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss measures to ensure the socio-economic development of the region.
The Besharyk district borders Tajikistan, and construction of a trade and logistics center has already begun there. The center will be turned into a free trade zone, similar to the one operating in Termez on the border with Afghanistan. This is expected to increase the region’s exports by US$50 million and create 2,000 new jobs.
A similar complex is planned for Kuvasay, which lies on the border with Kyrgyzstan.
The construction of the "Andarkhan" trade and logistics center in the Besharyk district on the Uzbek-Tajik border started in March 2023. The center will cover an area of 5 hectares. Inside, there will be 200 retail outlets, a bank, a cafeteria, a restaurant, a hotel, and a logistics center. The complex will showcase products made by entrepreneurs from both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The project is valued at US$7.8 million.
During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev was informed that over the past seven years, the number of industrial enterprises in the Fergana region has almost tripled, reaching 13,000. This has been made possible by the implementation of investment projects that have created 116,000 jobs. Over the first 10 months of this year, foreign investment in the region amounted to US$1.5 billion, and exports reached US$910 million.
Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to increase investment and create new jobs in the region. In particular, he highlighted the expansion of the "Kokand" special economic zone by 210 hectares, which will accommodate 185 projects worth a total of US$1 billion and create around 12,000 jobs. A technology park is also planned for 71 hectares in Kokand, where enterprises worth $900 million will be established, creating 5,000 jobs.
As part of cooperation with foreign partners, the authorities of the Fergana region signed investment agreements with Chinese businesses for $1 billion and with South Korea for US$240 million. These projects will require the creation of industrial zones totaling 1,210 hectares.
