Orynbayev made the announcement on August 25 at a ceremony attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where 72 major industrial and service projects and 91 social facilities were commissioned across Uzbekistan ahead of the country’s 35th Independence Day.
The projects in Karakalpakstan are being developed after a special resolution designated the entire republic as a mining zone, Orynbayev said. The decision has allowed the regional authorities to place greater emphasis on the quality of investors and the investments they bring, he added.
Karakalpakstan is also attracting major investment in renewable energy. A $3.3 billion wind power project is being developed in the region in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power.
Another wind farm, the $260 million Nukus-2 project, was commissioned at the ceremony. Last year, the region launched the $107 million Nukus Wind project.
Orynbayev said the number of entrepreneurs in Karakalpakstan had increased 2.5-fold over the past decade, while foreign investment had risen 500-fold.
“Previously, we were happy whenever investors came, whether large or small, as long as they invested. Now we have the opportunity to pay particular attention to the quality of both investors and investments,” Orynbayev said.
He also highlighted recent efforts to develop football in the region. A modern facility has been built for Aral football club and its academy on the president’s instructions. The club has also been provided with presidential buses and received a solution to its sponsorship needs.
Commenting on Orynbayev’s report, President Mirziyoyev said the results achieved in Karakalpakstan reflected the region’s potential. He said reaching those results had required enthusiasm, patience and resilience.
