Over the past five years, Uzbekistan’s processing industry has expanded by 1.4 times, with a notable increase in the Bukhara region where the industry has grown by 1.6 times, reaching a value of UZS 30 trillion ($2.4 bn).
This growth is supported by 41 foreign investments worth $7 bn and an equal number of domestic projects. Gas-Chemical Complex in Karakol The gas-chemical complex, to be constructed in the Karakol free economic zone, represents a technological advancement for Uzbekistan. This facility will utilize the “methanol to olefins” (MTO) technology, making it the first of its kind in the country. The project will attract around $5 bn in investments and employ cutting-edge technologies from the USA, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Italy, and China. The complex will process 1.3 bn cubic meters of natural gas and 430,000 tons of naphtha annually, producing 1.1 mn tons of high-demand polymer products. These products are expected to generate five times the added value compared to the price of gas. The plant will create 2,000 jobs directly, and stimulate the creation of an additional 4,000 jobs in related industries such as construction, textiles, leather-shoes, automobile, and electrical engineering. Solar Power Plant by Masdar In response to the increasing demand for electricity, which grows by an average of 6% annually, Uzbekistan is focusing on developing its renewable energy sector. A new 250-megawatt solar power plant will be built by Masdar, a company from the United Arab Emirates. The plant, situated on 648 hectares in the Olot district, is scheduled to connect to the national power grid by December 2025. This project is part of a larger plan to add 2.6 gigawatts of solar and wind power capacity to the grid in 2024 alone. Currently, 32 green energy projects with a total capacity of 18.3 gigawatts are underway, supported by $19 bn in foreign investments. By 2030, the goal is to increase the share of alternative energy in the national power supply from 9% to 40%, with Bukhara playing a key role. The region is currently implementing nine large projects with a combined capacity of 4 gigawatts, valued at approximately $4.5 bn. New International Airport in Bukhara Reflecting Uzbekistan’s policy of openness and the resulting increase in international relations, a new international airport will be constructed in Bukhara district. The project, worth $226 mn, aims to accommodate the rising number of tourists and improve service quality for both passengers and aircraft. The new airport will have the capacity to serve 1,200 passengers per hour and is expected to attract new international airlines. This development comes in response to a significant increase in tourism. In 2023, about 1.4 mn foreign tourists visited Bukhara, contributing to a 40% share of service exports from tourism. The region has seen the construction of 283 hotels, 486 hostels, and 1,200 family guest houses, leading to a 35% increase in tourist numbers.
