As previously reported by Spot, Shavkat Mirziyoyev is holding a meeting to discuss the results of the year in the field of entrepreneurship support and the plans for this direction for 2025.
The head of state once again emphasized the need to increase exports, noting significant untapped opportunities in various sectors. For instance, the share of copper processing within the country is only 64%, yarn is at 50%, and fruits and vegetables are at 16%.
Uzbekistan has around 1,000 deposits containing over 100 types of mineral raw materials. The confirmed reserves of minerals are estimated at $1 trillion, the president stated.
With the growth of mineral resource extraction, the share of high-tech production in the industry is only 25%. Mirziyoyev called for an increase in deep processing of raw materials to enhance their added value and export earnings, and also instructed to adopt relevant 5-year programs for each class of raw materials.
Issues related to the supply of quality fruits and vegetables for export and the low income from this trade were also discussed. The situation is complicated by the fact that the main suppliers are household farms.
However, Uzbekistan could export fruits and vegetables worth $3.5 billion in 2025, the head of state noted. To achieve this, it is planned to connect areas totaling 1 million hectares to 760 seed suppliers and 824 exporting companies.
Industrial plantations are planned to be established in the Tashkent and Namangan regions. Lands taken out of grain farming will be allocated in large lots of up to 50 hectares through auctions.
On these plots, the construction of workshops for shock freezing, sorting, and packaging of products will be permitted. Entrepreneurs purchasing equipment for processing fruit and vegetable crops will receive subsidies of up to 1 billion sums.
Other topics addressed during the meeting included:
- The cost of the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan tourist center on the shores of Charvak is estimated at $10 billion, and 23 hotel brands will enter the country's market;
- Banks will attract $6 billion from abroad for business loans;
- The process of Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO is reaching its final stage;
- The excise tax on mobile communications will be abolished, and benefits for IT Park and private schools will be extended;
- A center for assistance in accessing international financial markets will be opened;
- The airports of Bukhara and Namangan will come under private management;
- A project for a revised Customs Code is planned to be developed.
Earlier, Spot reported that the president signed the law "On Subsoil" in a new edition.