Value added in industry rises from 40.7 percent to 43 percent

Uzbekistan’s industrial value-added share has increased from 40.7 percent to 43 percent over the past three years. This was announced on February 13 during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on ensuring high economic growth in sectors and regions.

At the meeting, the president emphasized that higher growth can be achieved if ministers, regional leaders, and industry heads introduce modern management practices, use available resources efficiently, diversify export markets and products, support entrepreneurs, bring together specialists in artificial intelligence and digitalization, create startup clubs, and implement innovations in enterprises.

However, it was noted that many officials continue to rely on targets that can be achieved without meaningful change rather than striving for ambitious results.

Despite the overall increase, value-added levels remain relatively low in several key industries. The figure stands at 20.7 percent in automobile manufacturing, 29.3 percent in electrical equipment, 30.1 percent in the food industry, 33.4 percent in the leather industry, and 40.4 percent in the chemical sector.

Between 2023 and 2025, about $12 billion in investment was directed to these five industries, and more than 200 new production capacities were launched. For example, changes in agricultural technology have led farmers to prefer liquid fertilizers, but chemical plants have not yet adapted and continue to produce only traditional mineral fertilizers.