Shavkat Mirziyoyev orders action to boost industrial growth in lagging districts

Deputy regional governors in Uzbekistan will be sent to districts with low industrial growth and required to stay there for a month to work on improving performance. The instruction was given by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on February 13 during a meeting on ensuring high economic growth across sectors and regions.

The meeting noted that regional and district leaders still face many questions regarding industrial development. Although total investment has increased 1.8 times over the past three years, its impact on industry remains limited in some districts.

For example, in Karmana district investment has grown by 50 percent annually, but industrial output increased by only 4 percent. Of 495 operating enterprises, 470 employ fewer than five workers, and 20 companies that reported being inactive continue to consume electricity and gas. A similar situation was noted in Zafarobod district, where investment grew fourfold but industrial output showed no change.

While national industrial output grew by 21 percent over the past three years, growth did not reach 10 percent in the districts of Khatirchi, Karmana, Uchqo‘rg‘on, Bag‘dod, Oqqo‘rg‘on, Bo‘ka, Uzun, Jarqo‘rg‘on, Yakkabog‘, Payariq, Mirzaobod, and Zafarobod.

Deputy regional governors were instructed to work in these 12 districts for a month, revive underperforming enterprises, and increase industrial growth rates this year.

Earlier at the same meeting, officials were also instructed to reduce car loan interest rates and increase lending volumes to stimulate demand for locally produced vehicles.