The joy of living with a sense of satisfaction

It has become a good tradition for the Head of State to visit the regions to closely familiarize himself with ongoing changes, residents’ lives, and the issues that concern them, while also setting key priorities for the future. Each visit gives fresh momentum to regional development and opens up broad opportunities for major projects, construction and creative initiatives.

The President’s latest visit to Andijan region was held in the same uplifting spirit. The long-awaited visit gave the people of Andijan renewed energy and enthusiasm, inspiring them to strive for new achievements. Wherever the Head of State goes and whoever he speaks with, he places particular emphasis, above all, on people’s interests, their concerns, hopes and aspirations. His sincere conversations clearly reflected the care and attention he showed the people.

Residents of Fergana Valley followed with great interest the President’s meetings in the regions, his sincere conversations with local communities, and the ideas and initiatives he put forward during presentations of new projects. As a native of Andijan, I was also pleased to take part in these events and witness these historic developments firsthand. In particular, the positive mood among the people, their confidence in the future, and the strong interest in new initiatives and projects clearly show that the changes taking place in Andijan today are also having a profound impact on people’s lives and outlook.

Looking at the changes and renewal taking place across the region, one can appreciate the scale of what has been accomplished in a relatively short period. As a result of the wide-ranging reforms launched under the President’s leadership, not only the economy and infrastructure are changing, but also people’s outlook, way of life, and confidence in the future.

Solutions have been found to many issues that had troubled residents for years. New enterprises have been established, employment opportunities have increased, conditions for entrepreneurship have expanded, and the appearance of mahallas and villages has been transformed.

The scale of this work is clearly reflected in the funding allocated to the region over the past decade: 20 trillion UZS from the national budget and 90 trillion UZS in bank financing to support entrepreneurship. This year alone, 6 trillion UZS has been allocated to improve the population’s well-being. These funds are being used to establish new production capacities, develop entrepreneurship, and create additional jobs.

The results of the ongoing reforms are clearly visible in the region’s economic indicators. In the first half of this year, the regional economy grew by 8.8%, industrial output by 9.2%, the services sector by 16.1%, and investment by 8.9%. Behind these figures are, above all, new enterprises, new jobs, new sources of income and positive changes in people’s quality of life.

Today, in every sector, signs of renewal and development are clearly visible. New enterprises, modern infrastructure facilities, changes in the services sector and extensive improvement works are making a strong impression not only on the people of Andijan, but also on visitors to the region.

The large-scale modernization underway at Andijan International Airport is a vivid example of this transformation. Once an air gateway with relatively limited capacity, it is now being transformed into a major transport hub with modern infrastructure.

The total cost of the airfield reconstruction project is 1.1 trillion UZS. During the first phase, the airport’s infrastructure was comprehensively upgraded. The runway was extended to 3.3 kilometers, and a new 60-meter-wide Category 4E runway was built. This will significantly expand the airport’s capacity to accommodate large aircraft.

It is no coincidence that the President began his visit to the region by reviewing the construction and modernization work underway at this major facility. Today, developing modern transport infrastructure and creating appropriate and comfortable conditions for residents and visitors alike have become key priorities. Such projects enhance not only the region’s transport capacity, but also its economic, tourism and investment potential.

The tasks set by the Head of State to ensure that the modern terminal building is completed on schedule and to a high standard will expand opportunities to provide passengers with services that meet international standards. In turn, this will provide fresh impetus for further development of the region’s transport and logistics capacity. It will also create additional conveniences for residents and visitors and further enhance Andijan’s economic and tourism appeal.

In recent years, entrepreneurship and investment activity in the region have also developed rapidly. The favorable business environment has become an important factor in expanding industrial sectors, establishing new production capacities, and promoting employment.

As part of the visit, the President also participated in a ceremony launching new investment projects and marking the start of construction on others, which was also of major significance for the regional economy. The launch of 206 investment projects with a total value of $9.4 billion is a practical reflection in Andijan of the large-scale economic transformation taking place across the country. These are not merely figures. Behind them lie new enterprises, modern production facilities, advanced technologies, thousands of jobs and, most importantly, substantial opportunities to increase people’s incomes.

The projects cover key sectors such as energy, construction, textiles, mechanical engineering, education, tourism, logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. They will be implemented across all 16 cities and districts of the region, helping to strengthen its economic potential, create new jobs and improve the well-being of the population.

Particular attention is also being paid to the systematic development of the fisheries sector and the wider introduction of modern technologies and advanced production methods. One such promising initiative is the fish farming project implemented by Chinobod Real Biznes in Baliqchi district.

The project, valued at 30 billion UZS, has created numerous jobs. The modern two-hectare complex can produce 200 tons of fish annually, along with 2.5 million fish fry. The enterprise’s annual production output is valued at 50 billion UZS.

Notably, the complex is also making effective use of intensive technologies. On just two hectares, it can now produce an amount equivalent to what is raised in 100 hectares of conventional ponds. This not only enables more efficient use of land and water resources, but also increases production efficiency.

The enterprise's trout fry have found buyers in both the domestic market and abroad. The enterprise exports products to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. Most importantly, the project is contributing not only to higher production and export volumes, but also to new jobs, greater employment, and higher household incomes.

The meeting on the socio-economic development of Andijan region, support for entrepreneurship and increasing household incomes will undoubtedly help unlock the region’s full potential, implement new projects and, above all, improve people’s well-being.

In particular, the tasks set to expand large livestock, poultry, and fish-farming complexes to strengthen food security will help ensure a stable supply of high-quality food products to the domestic market, increase production volumes, and maintain price stability.

For example, the 5,000 hectares of land in Ulugnor converted from cotton cultivation to fodder crops can support at least 10,000 head of cattle. Livestock farming can also be expanded through more efficient use of land along field margins. Plans to create conditions for livestock grazing on at least 200 hectares of such land by the end of the year, as well as to develop projects for large livestock complexes in Ulugnor and Bostan, will establish a solid fodder base for livestock farming and give fresh momentum to the sector’s sustainable development. An increase in cattle numbers, in turn, will boost meat and dairy production and improve supplies to the domestic market.

Building on the experience of the $20 million poultry complex launched in Baliqchi, plans to establish four similar facilities in Jalaquduq and three in Khojaabad will help ensure a stable supply of high-quality poultry meat to the domestic market and increase production volumes. At the same time, these projects will strengthen food security and lay the groundwork for expanding modern, efficient production systems across the region.

Another important step toward elevating the fisheries sector is the planned establishment of a 1,200-hectare fish-farming cluster in Ulugnor, drawing on the experience of Baliqchi district. The initiative will increase fish production through modern methods, create new jobs, and provide residents with sustainable income.

I am also from Andijan. During the last week of every month, we visit different parts of the region to engage with the public and meet with voters. Each time, we witness new changes or improvements. For example, until recently, young people were leaving the country in search of work. Today, they live with their families, work in their own mahallas, and earn an income. What greater happiness could there be?

The President’s visit to our region will, in the fullest sense, usher in a new era in Andijan’s history. There is no doubt that, following this visit, hundreds of projects will be implemented, thousands of new jobs will be created, and, most importantly, the well-being of our people will continue to improve. We, as deputies, will be even more active and proactive in ensuring the timely implementation of the tasks set.

Odinakhon Otakhonova

Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis