In Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to socio-economic transformations, the elevation of human dignity, and the creation of decent conditions for a prosperous life for people.

Large-scale work is being carried out in this direction in Bukhara region. In particular, the expected results are provided by measures to increase the population’s income, tax reform aimed at stimulating production, reducing the state’s role in the economy, the gradual privatization of state-owned enterprises, and introducing market mechanisms in the resource distribution system. Everyone who comes to Bukhara region is satisfied with the transformations, landscaping, and construction work being carried out here. They feel the breath of New Uzbekistan.

Indeed, the appearance of cities and districts has changed. They have become more comfortable and turned into a platform for real change. It should be noted that each reform carried out after the visit of the President serves to raise human dignity and honor. Today, the ongoing large-scale work is reflected in the improvement of the lives of ordinary people.

In the first half of this year, the volume of industrial production in the region increased by 5.3 percent compared to last year. The growth rate of the volume of construction works increased by 5.1 percent, the indicators of the provision of services – by 9.1 percent, and the volume of agricultural products – by 4.2 percent.

At the initiative of the President, great attention is paid to the construction of traditional and alternative energy stations together with foreign partners. This can be seen in projects implemented in Bukhara region based on investments by ACWA POWER of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In Peshku and Gijduvan districts of the region, this Saudi company is building two wind farms with a capacity of 500 MW each. The first turbine, with a total of 6.5 MW from Envision (China), was installed as part of the project. The height of the turbine tower is 100 meters, and each wind blade is 84 meters in size. 158 of these wind turbines will be installed as part of this massive project. According to authorized persons, the wind farm will operate fully in 2025. As a result of putting the facility into operation due to installing 79 wind turbines with a total capacity of 500 MW, up to 1.8 billion kWh of electricity will be produced annually. This will cover 42 percent of electricity consumption by the population and sectors of the economy of Bukhara region. At the same time, due to the wind farm’s operation, 550 million cubic meters of natural gas per year will be saved, and the emission of 500 thousand tons of harmful gases into the atmosphere will be prevented. This investment project provides thousands of households and new businesses with green energy. It is a logical continuation of the President’s policy to improve the living standards of our compatriots, create more comfortable conditions for them, and ensure a prosperous life. It can be called one of the vast steps towards a new industrial era in Bukhara region.

China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment Co. Ltd. of the People’s Republic of China is building a solar photoelectric power plant with a capacity of 500 MW worth $400 million in Karaulbazar district. 996 hectares of land have been allocated for the implementation of the project. The project will be launched at total capacity in September 2024. The first capacity of 200 megawatts will be put into operation before the end of this year. Once established at full capacity, the station will generate 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

By the Resolution of the President “On the approval of the Investment Program of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 and the introduction of new approaches and mechanisms for managing investment projects” of December 30, 2021, for the further development of energy in Bukhara region at the expense of $2 billion of foreign direct investment, it is planned to build gas piston power plant, two wind, and two photovoltaic stations.

A $36 million project with an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons of acrylic yarn products has been launched at Siyovush Textile Bukhara LLC on the territory of Gijduvon Free Economic Zone in Kagan district of Bukhara region.

As a result of the project’s launch, the production of high-quality acrylic yarn has been established in the region. Due to this, an additional reserve base of $6 million was created for the export indicators of the region. Other revenues of 4.5 billion UZS will be provided to the budget. More than 1200 permanent jobs have been created at the enterprise. At the same time, the process for the production of acrylic yarn and finished products will be completely localized. At the moment, with foreign partners, work is underway at the next stage to expand the company’s activities.

Bukhara Gold Granit LLC, located on the territory of “Tutkunda” mahalla of Kagan district, produces granite products used in construction. The project’s total cost is $3 million, of which $1.5 million is the initiator’s funds. And $1.5 million were allocated by Bukhara regional branch of Uzbekistan Industrial and Construction Bank – SQB.

Granite is processed with modern equipment imported from Türkiye. The volume of manufactured granite products reaches 120 thousand square meters. It is primarily supplied to construction sites in the region. Some are exported abroad.

Tourism – the primary source of income

Large-scale work is underway to increase the tourism potential of ancient and eternally young Bukhara, increase the flow of foreign tourists, the number of tourist destinations, create new hotels and guest houses, and improve service.

In 2021, 30.8 thousand foreign tourists visited Bukhara, and 2022 this figure reached 550 thousand. In the first quarter of this year, the number of foreign guests who came to ancient Bukhara reached 400,000.

Ancient and eternally young Bukhara enchants with its unique charm. After all, the impressive architectural monuments of the city, which have passed the period of many thousands of years of historical evolution, have a special magic and splendor. Labi Hauz, Ark Fortress, Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah, Samanid Mausoleum, and other monuments are distinguished by their design and oriental beauty.

In 2021, 1 million 405 thousand local tourists visited Bukhara, and in 2022 – more than 2 million 700 thousand. They became interested in ancient traditions, customs, and historically significant architectural monuments and structures. In April this year, this figure was 1 million 200 thousand people.

For information: 58 percent of foreign tourists visiting the region come from the CIS countries, 21 percent from Europe, 17 percent from Asia, and 4 percent from America.

By the end of this year, more than 1 million 200 thousand foreign and 3 million local tourists are expected to visit the ancient and eternally young Bukhara. According to studies, the average stay of tourists in Bukhara is 3-4 days. Daily expenses of foreign guests – $250, local tourists – $350 thousand UZS. To extend guests’ stay in the city, it is necessary to expand the range of tourist destinations in the region and improve the quality of service.

In this regard, several tasks were set for organizations and institutions directly related to the industry’s activities.

Last September, at a videoconference chaired by the Head of state, authorized persons were instructed to approve a program to attract at least 1 million tourists a year through the full use of the potential of pilgrimage tourism in the country.

As noted, with scientific approaches, it is possible to determine what kind of food to offer to representatives of a particular religion and how to equip hotels and places of prayer.

However, it was noted that training experts and guides who could provide detailed information about sacred sites, saints, and feasts were necessary. In this regard, the Islamic Academy, the “Silk Road” University, was tasked with developing evidence-based approaches for countries with a large flow of pilgrims.

One of the essential factors in increasing the flow of tourists to Bukhara is gastronomic tourism. In this direction, oriental-style restaurants and cafeterias are built on 50 rooftops. This will create about 500 new jobs. To date, according to the experience of Bukhara, 54 outdoor terraces have been equipped locally, 1,350 new jobs have been created, and high-level gastronomic service has begun for guests.

Until the end of 2023, 15 more hotels, 20 family guest houses, and 10 hostels will be opened in the ancient city. Measures are being taken to create 4,200 new jobs by creating open terraces, restaurants, and canteens. Also, using the potential of Bukhara, the possibility of placing more than a hundred restaurants, cafeterias, and service points on the ground floors of almost 50 buildings of modern planning located on 8 central streets is being worked out.

The number of restaurants regularly serving foreign and local tourists in the region is 81. Due to the activity of terraces on the roofs of buildings, the volume of services provided will be increased. The main thing is that this project, recognized as a new destination, interests both local and foreign tourists.

Bukhara region will turn into a region free from unemployment

As of January 1, 2023, the region’s population is 2 million 24 thousand people, and the labor force is 1 million 93 thousand. Of these, 76.2 thousand are unemployed. In the first half of 2023, 264.2 thousand (including 107.4 thousand permanent) jobs were created, but the program was overfulfilled.

As a result of the work carried out to ensure the employment of the population, four districts have become free from unemployment. 472 mahallas of the region were transferred to the category of mahallas free from unemployment. By the end of the year, the region will turn into a region free from unemployment. In the region, 24.7 thousand unemployed are assigned to 735 entrepreneurs under the program “500 thousand skilled workers for 20 thousand entrepreneurs”. According to preliminary estimates, 30.7 billion UZS will remain at their disposal due to the benefits provided to these entrepreneurs.

As of July 1 this year, the income of 40.4 thousand families increased from an average of 2.4 to 3.3 million UZS. By the end of 2023, the poverty rate will be reduced from 11.2 percent to 10 percent. In addition, the incomes of another 58,000 low-income families will grow more.

At the initiative of the President, an IT Cluster specializing in providing information and communication technologies and exporting IT services will be put into operation in Karakul district.

Several new facilities and modern infrastructure will be built as part of the IT Cluster. A university with laboratories and research centers, a center for exporting remote IT services, research centers, educational laboratories, and an incubation center for developing start-up projects will be created. It also opens up significant opportunities in the education system for the country’s youth.

In the first stage, until December 31, 2023, together with the prestigious India’s Acharya Nagarjuna University, an administrative building, an educational laboratory, and auditoriums for 5,600 seats will be built. In the second stage, by September 1, 2024, it is planned to build a 1,300-bed student dormitory, a 15-bed hotel, a 100-bed incubation center, a 200-bed remote IT Services Export Center, a canteen, outdoor and indoor sports facilities. The Karakul IT Cluster, aimed at teaching modern subjects and training competitive personnel, will open a new page in the national education system.

For six months this year, at the expense of 5.5 billion UZS from all sources, 108.2 kilometers of drinking water supply and sanitation networks were built and reconstructed at 20 facilities. As a result, the drinking water supply increased from 69 to 73.1 percent. In 2023, due to the construction and reconstruction of more than 328 kilometers of drinking water supply networks and 250 water wells, it is planned to increase consumer supply to 73.5 percent.

It is gratifying that the announced figures primarily serve to improve the population’s living conditions. It can be said that after each visit of the Head of state to Bukhara, the ancient and eternally young city is updated, and construction and landscaping work is expanding. From this point of view, the President’s next visit will open new pages in the life of Bukhara and the people of Bukhara. Promising initiatives will be directed at the region’s development, raising the population's standard of living.

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Zarif Komilov, photos by Tokhirjon Istatov, UzA