Each region in Uzbekistan to partner with a specific US State

Each region in Uzbekistan will establish cooperation with a specific state in the United States, which is expected to help expand direct contacts between local entrepreneurs and foreign partners. This was announced on September 26 at an expanded meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, dedicated to the cotton harvest in the regions, preparations for the autumn-winter season, the implementation of investment and export targets, and the progress of the “Green Space” national project.

It was noted that this year 875,000 hectares of cotton were sown and contracts were signed for a harvest of 3.7 million tons. More than 900 machines have been involved in the harvesting process, and farmers have been provided with fuel and fertilizers at reduced prices.

However, some regions are lagging behind the plan. While Surkhandarya, Khorezm, Fergana and Andijan regions are showing good results, the situation in Samarkand, Syrdarya and Navoi remains unsatisfactory.

During the meeting, the President instructed officials to promptly establish emergency headquarters in the regions, ensure high-quality harvesting, and quickly address issues affecting farmers. Those responsible were also tasked with ensuring timely settlements for the harvested cotton.

The meeting also discussed the state of preparations for the autumn-winter season. Repair work has not yet been completed in 125 of the 640 schools and kindergartens across the country. Nearly 1,000 of the 9,800 multi-storey buildings remain unprepared, and the repair of boiler houses in Jizzakh and Surkhandarya is still incomplete. The head of state stressed the need to resolve these issues within two weeks and to ensure that substations, as well as electricity and water networks, are ready for the season.

It was reported that, so far, 55,000 tons of local coal have been delivered to the population, including 9,000 tons to 381 remote villages and auls. Authorities were instructed to fully distribute the remaining 27,000 tons of coal from warehouses and to deliver 330,000 tons of liquefied gas to consumers during the autumn-winter period. Officials were reminded that they bear personal responsibility for preventing interruptions in gas and electricity supply.

Regarding the implementation of the "Green Space" program, it was reported that 27.5 million of the 137 million seedlings planted in the spring have withered. The main reason cited was the rapid onset of hot weather between spring and summer, which prevented seedlings from germinating properly and increased water consumption two to three times above normal levels.

In response, the President stressed the need to increase tree planting in the autumn. This year, 125 million trees and shrubs are planned to be planted in the autumn season and another 75 million in the spring. It was emphasized that seedlings should not be planted in areas lacking irrigation systems and facilities.

The accelerating pace of urbanization also requires increasing greenery in cities and regional centers. To develop cities on a scientific basis and in line with “green” standards, it was decided to prepare “green” master plans for Tashkent, Nukus, and all regional centers with the involvement of scientists, urban planners and ecologists.

By the end of the third quarter of this year, the volume of foreign investment attracted to Uzbekistan is expected to reach $33.5 billion. From January to August, exports amounted to $23 billion, representing a 31% increase compared to the same period last year.

However, investment growth has not been uniform across all regions, and export figures have declined in some areas. The President urged officials to take concrete measures to secure an additional $7.3 billion in exports by the end of the year, attract new investments, and enter new markets.

It was decided to establish cooperation with the United States, under which each region in Uzbekistan will partner with a specific US state to help expand direct contacts between local entrepreneurs and foreign partners.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev gave instructions for the timely and full implementation of all assigned tasks.

It is worth noting that earlier, President Mirziyoyev held talks with US President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The leaders discussed pressing issues and priority areas for further expanding the Uzbek-US strategic partnership.