The project was announced on August 17 during a ceremony at the Farovon Khiva Hotel in Khiva, where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the launch of new projects and the start of construction on several planned facilities in the region.
Over the past nine years, Khorezm region has attracted $7.5 billion in investment and commissioned 9,700 new production facilities. More than UZS 33 trillion in loans have been provided to small and medium-sized businesses during the period.
Real household incomes have doubled over the same period, while the share of employment in industry and construction has risen to 18% and the services sector accounts for 55% of employment.
The poverty rate has fallen to 4.4% and unemployment to 4.5%. A total of 72 neighborhoods have been declared free of poverty and unemployment.
Tourism infrastructure has also expanded rapidly. Some 280 hotels and guesthouses have been built in the region over the past nine years, quadrupling the total number of hotel rooms. The number of foreign tourists visiting Khorezm has increased tenfold over the past five years.
Foreign investment has grown sharply as well. The region attracted $30 million in foreign investment in 2016, while the figure is expected to exceed $2 billion in 2026.
Transport infrastructure has been another focus of development. Ahead of Independence Day, an electrified railway line linking Urgench International Airport with Khiva was commissioned.
The Urgench–Khiva toll road is now being launched as Uzbekistan’s first paid road. Authorities expect the project to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities, which are among the country’s major tourism destinations.
