Uzbekistan aims to raise the creative economy’s share of GDP to 5%

Uzbekistan plans to increase the share of the creative economy in GDP to 5 percent, or 145 trillion soums, by 2030. This was announced during a presentation reviewed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on February 12 on developing the creative economy, improving cultural infrastructure, and establishing new creative spaces.

It was noted that the creative economy has become one of the main drivers of growth in many countries, accounting for 3–7 percent of global GDP. In Uzbekistan, the sector’s share reached 3.7 percent of GDP in 2024, equivalent to 56.8 trillion soums, while exports totaled $770.6 million and more than 319,000 people were employed in the field.

Officials emphasized that more than 60 percent of the population is young, digital infrastructure is rapidly developing, and the country’s rich cultural heritage provides a strong foundation for a “major leap” in the sector.

To support this goal, a dedicated law on the creative economy was adopted in 2024, establishing the sector’s legal framework. A Creative Industry Park was created with a special tax regime for residents. In particular, income and social tax rates were reduced from 12 percent to 6 percent, and additional incentives were introduced for entrepreneurs.

These measures aim to raise the creative economy’s share of GDP to 5 percent by 2030, increase exports to $1 billion, and expand employment in the sector to more than 500,000 people.

The presentation reviewed the concept of a Creative Industry Park in Tashkent. The complex will include a green park, art installations, a Tashkent school of an international programming network, a book café, sports facilities, creative pavilions, coworking spaces, offices, film and video production areas, a recording studio, a creative industry campus, and a hotel for young people and creators. The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership.

Creative parks are also planned for New Tashkent and the city of Nukus.

In New Tashkent, the park will include rental spaces, studios, media and conference halls, as well as commercial and service facilities. In Nukus, an existing pavilion in Istiklol Park will be reconstructed into a multifunctional cultural and community center.

A notable feature of the Nukus project is that Uzbekistan’s national pavilion for Expo 2025 will be located there, alongside a modern library.

The activities of cultural centers in Uzbekistan were critically reviewed. More than half of the country’s 800 cultural centers require renovation, and many still operate in outdated formats focused mainly on holiday events.

A pilot project has therefore been developed to modernize cultural centers. It covers four centers in Tashkent, Kokand, Bukhara, and Samarkand, with the first being established on the basis of the Gulshan Cultural Center in Tashkent. It will host clubs, workshops, studios, and courses based on the concept of “culture – education – recreation – communication.”

Plans were also reviewed to establish a Higher School of Traditional Arts in Tashkent based on the experience of the UK Royal Foundation School.

The school will offer bachelor’s and master’s programs in ceramics and brickwork, decorative ornamentation, wood carving, architectural calligraphy, and geometric and biomorphic patterns. Education will be conducted in English under a two-year program. The school aims to train 50 specialists by 2027 and reach an annual capacity of 80 graduates by 2031.

The presentation also discussed the creation of a National Restoration Institute, the restoration of the Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand, and repairs to the Turkiston summer amphitheater. It was noted that design and restoration work must be fully coordinated with UNESCO.

The president emphasized that developing the creative economy is strategically important not only culturally but also economically and instructed officials to ensure high-quality implementation of the planned projects.