Electric and hybrid vehicles to be produced in Kogon

Production of electric and hybrid vehicles is planned to be launched in Kogon district of Bukhara region. This was announced today, on April 2, during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the effectiveness of ongoing reforms in Bukhara region, the efficient use of the region’s economic potential, and priority tasks for the future. 

It was noted that Bukhara region has enormous potential in industry, agriculture, services, and tourism and is no less capable than any other region in these sectors. The region is home to two major oil and gas chemical enterprises, while a third is under construction. In addition, construction is progressing rapidly on 10 major solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 4.5 gigawatts and a total value of $5.2 billion. 

In 2025, the region’s gross regional product grew by 7.2 percent to reach 86.6 trillion soms. Industrial output increased by 7.1 percent, agriculture by 4.3 percent, and services by 14 percent. Compared with 2024, unemployment fell to 4.7 percent and the poverty rate declined to 6 percent. 

The meeting reviewed the main target indicators for the socio-economic development of Bukhara region in 2026. In particular, the authorities aim to raise gross regional product to 102.1 trillion soms, achieving 9.1 percent growth, while increasing industrial output by 9.1 percent, agriculture by 5.9 percent, and services by 20.1 percent. Plans also include reducing unemployment and poverty to 2 percent and helping 381,500 residents secure income-generating opportunities. 

To this end, targeted measures will be implemented to turn the cities of Bukhara and Kogon, as well as the districts of Alat, Peshku, Karakul, Shafirkan, Gijduvan, and Karavulbazar, into territories free from unemployment and poverty. 

The head of state emphasized that Bukhara is an ancient land with a history spanning three millennia and noted that few cities in the world possess such a rich concentration of cultural heritage and historical monuments. He stressed that this potential should be used to drive economic growth, create new jobs, raise incomes, and improve infrastructure. 

In investment and export, the region has been tasked with attracting $3.3 billion in foreign investment in 2026, ensuring exports worth $1.5 billion, and implementing investment projects with a total value of $9.2 billion. 

Particular attention was paid to industrial development. It was noted that 61 major projects have been formed across industrial sectors with a total value of $2.2 billion. These projects are expected to create 18,000 new jobs and increase industrial output per capita from 25.6 million soms to 29.6 million soms. 

In particular, Kogon district is expected to launch the production of 80,000 electric and hybrid vehicles per year. The project is valued at $350 million and is expected to create 500 jobs. 

In addition, a $220 million project is planned in Bukhara district to produce benzene, toluene, xylene, pentane, hexane, bitumen, and calcium chloride through pyrolysis processing. In Karavulbazar district, there are plans to expand production of AI-91 and AI-92 gasoline under an $85 million project. Kogon district is also expected to launch the production of paper and cardboard products. 

Plans were also discussed to produce 100,000 tons of mineral fertilizers annually in Karavulbazar district and to expand gypsum board production in Kogon district. 

At the same time, priority areas were identified for new manufacturing facilities to be located on vacant land within 61 existing industrial zones. These include food production and furniture manufacturing in Bukhara city and Bukhara district, leather and light industry in Vobkent, petrochemicals in Kogon and Karavulbazar, pharmaceuticals and food production in Shafirkan and Peshku, and construction materials in Gijduvan. 

It was noted that by introducing modern land-use technologies and irrigation systems in agriculture, it would be possible to reclaim and bring into use 100,000 hectares of land. This would significantly boost the region’s economy and export potential. 

The meeting also discussed new approaches to the efficient use of the region’s 3 million hectares of pasture land, livestock development, and the expansion of fodder crop areas. This year, it is planned to plant full-scale fodder crops on 59,200 hectares. In addition, 82 livestock projects worth a total of 454 billion soms are set to be implemented, including the import of 20,000 pedigree cattle, 30,000 sheep, and 200 horses. 

Specific targets were also set for cotton growing, grain production, and water conservation. In particular, in 2026 the authorities aim to raise cotton yields to 52 centners per hectare and grain yields to 100 centners per hectare, improve water supply and land reclamation on 96,800 hectares, save 453.5 million cubic meters of water, and procure 742 agricultural machines. 

A proposal was also reviewed to establish modern mini-farms in every district designed for 50 pedigree cattle each. Under this program, 110 projects will be implemented, 5,500 pedigree cattle will be imported, 3,750 new jobs will be created, and capacity will be formed to produce an additional 51,500 tons of milk. 

In the area of services and employment, 49 projects based on neighborhood specialization are set to be implemented, along with the establishment of 33 trade and service streets, two waterfront zones, four tourism mahallas, and 10 roadside projects. A total of 12.5 trillion soms in financial resources will be allocated for this purpose, including 7.5 trillion soms directed to small and medium-sized businesses. 

It was noted that tourism is currently concentrated mainly in Bukhara city, while the potential of other districts in the region has not yet been fully utilized. Significant opportunities were identified in Jondor, Gijduvan, Bukhara, Karakul, and Vobkent districts to implement waterfront and roadside driver projects, create jobs, and develop a modern leisure environment for residents. 

In this regard, the region has been tasked with attracting 3.5 million foreign tourists and 5.5 million domestic tourists in 2026, bringing the total number of visitors to 9 million. To support this goal, 73 new accommodation facilities and 15 new tour operators and travel agencies will be launched in 2026. 

Plans also include opening five internationally branded hotels in the new tourism center being built in Bukhara city, developing the Khoja Orif tourism village in Shafirkan district, the Chor Bakr and Yorjon tourism villages in Bukhara district, and establishing the Mohi Khosa tourism mahalla in Bukhara city. The importance of introducing a separate administrative management system in Bukhara’s historic center in line with UNESCO requirements was also emphasized. 

In addition, a proposal was reviewed to establish a tourism town in Kogon city based on six historical sites. 

Special attention was also paid to workforce training. Plans were announced to open a joint faculty with Krems University of Austria and to place the Bukhara Tourism and Cultural Heritage Technical School under the university’s management. It was emphasized that a full dual-education system should be introduced to train specialists and retrain management personnel. The university will also assist in developing a new model for managing the 24-hour streets being created in Bukhara city. 

The meeting also reviewed housing and infrastructure development in line with population growth. In particular, major construction and urbanization projects were discussed, including building a modern residential complex with more than 10,000 apartments on 63 hectares in the Rabotak mahalla of Bukhara district, creating a new administrative center in Bukhara city, constructing the Yangi Uzbekistan residential area and Yangi Uzbekistan Park, and building a new campus for Bukhara State University. 

A number of tasks were also outlined to improve roads and engineering and utility infrastructure. Plans include constructing seven bypass roads with a total length of 33.1 kilometers, reconstructing 78 kilometers of the Guzor–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu highway and 71 kilometers of the Samarkand–Bukhara–Turkmenbashi road, and auctioning off 30.8 hectares of land along the A-380 highway for the placement of 403 service projects. 

It was also announced that road, electricity, water, and irrigation networks would be improved under new approaches in three districts and 36 mahallas classified as difficult, as well as in two districts and 35 mahallas being developed in the image of Yangi Uzbekistan. A total of 593 billion soms will be allocated for these purposes. 

It was noted that a total of 4.484 trillion soms will be allocated in 2026 for the development of social and industrial infrastructure. These funds will support hundreds of projects involving schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, as well as коммунal and transport infrastructure. 

The president gave relevant instructions to officials to fully utilize Bukhara region’s existing opportunities, turn every initiative into a concrete project, and ensure effective results in investment, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure.