Chinese investors ready to invest up to $1bn in coal mining in Surkhandarya

The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the comprehensive development of the region. Key points from the president’s address were presented by his press secretary, Sherzod Asadov.

According to the president, more than 8,000 business projects worth a total of $5bn have been launched in Surkhandarya in recent years. Agreements with investors from China, India, the United States, Russia, Austria, Hungary and other countries envisage the implementation of additional initiatives valued at $10bn.

As part of social development efforts, 23 schools have been built and 448 repaired, creating capacity for 102,000 students. Preschool enrolment has more than doubled, from 28% to 68%. Around 32,000 families have received apartments in 688 multi-storey residential buildings.

“Surkhandarya is not only a region with beautiful nature, but also a land of strong-willed and highly motivated people. The development of Surkhan means strengthening the southern pillar of New Uzbekistan,” Mirziyoyev said.

Authorities have been tasked with reducing the poverty rate to 2.8% and unemployment to 4.5%, as well as declaring Termez, Denau, Jarkurgan, Angor, Muzrabot and Kizirik districts free of poverty.

The president also instructed officials to increase investment in the region to $3bn and exports to $1bn.

Mirziyoyev highlighted the untapped potential of the coal industry. Despite reserves estimated at 100m tons, only about 1% of this volume is currently extracted annually.

By the end of this year, coal mining is to be launched at the Sanjar and Aksu deposits, while production at the Fangart deposit is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Chinese investors have shown interest in developing coal fields in the Sariosiyo district, with potential investments of up to $1bn.

In addition, the South African company Sasol is considering projects to establish production of polypropylene, polyethylene and rubber derived from coal.

Officials also noted opportunities to utilize coal reserves in metallurgy, chemicals, automotive manufacturing, electrical engineering and construction materials production. A plan for the creation of an industrial cluster worth at least $200m is to be developed.

The president further pointed to a promising natural stone deposit in the Bezaktopa area, whose products could compete with suppliers from Iran, Turkey and Italy. He instructed responsible agencies to begin geological exploration of the site as soon as possible.