Agricultural work is actively underway on the fields of the 'Yangi Hayot' farm in the Sharof Rashidov district of Jizzakh, where the harvest season continues. The smell of damp earth and the aromas of watermelons scattered across the fields indicate the start of a prosperous season.
One of the priority areas of state policy in the country is expanding the export of agricultural products and increasing the number of export-oriented varieties, as well as improving product quality to meet international standards. Within this framework, the decree of the head of state dated April 8, 2025, 'On additional measures to increase the export potential of agricultural products and develop the processing chain,' pays special attention to increasing opportunities for growing export crops, logistics, storage, and entering external markets. The results observed in the fields of Jizzakh are a practical embodiment of these tasks.
Figures confirm the successes: according to the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the first six months of 2025, the country exported 14 thousand tons of watermelons to 17 countries. The main buyers were Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and European countries. These figures demonstrate not only the growing demand for Uzbek products in external markets but also the worthy appreciation of farmers' labor.
In the Sharof Rashidov district of Jizzakh region, tenant farmer Ahmad Turgunov grew an abundant harvest of the export variety 'Oqurug' on an area of four hectares this year. Traditional varieties beloved by the people, such as Obinavot, Amiri, Kookcha, and Tarpinza, were also grown. Each watermelon embodies the warmth of the sun and the selfless labor of the farmer.
A feature of these fields is the coordinated organization of labor. The proximity to Akcha village in the Chust district of Namangan region attracts about a hundred families who work under contract. Some are involved in harvesting watermelons, others in irrigation, and some in preparing the harvest for sale. This cooperation not only increases production volume but also ensures employment and income for the rural population.
Labor productivity is also significant: during the season, each family receives an average income of up to 30–40 million sums. This strengthens the well-being of hundreds of households, creates a stable source of income in rural areas, and increases trust in labor.
Tenant farmer Ahmad Turgunov noted that they have been working under lease agreements for 5–6 years, growing not only watermelons but also melons, potatoes, corn, and vegetables. He emphasized that their experience grows annually, and the greatest achievement is that thanks to their work, people become prosperous.
On the fields of the 'Yangi Hayot' farm, the watermelons currently being grown are not limited to the domestic market; part of the harvested crop is directed to export. The farm is systematically working on further developing export varieties of watermelons and their seed production, as well as producing crops that meet the requirements of external markets.
Undoubtedly, the watermelons and melons grown in the fields of Jizzakh are the result of honest farmers' labor, as well as positive efforts to support the agrarian sector and increase the country's export potential.
A competition based on international chess rules, held in the Swiss system with nine rounds, took place in Namangan region. Nearly a hundred talented individuals from the cities and districts of Namangan region demonstrated their intellectual abilities at this competition.
In order to spend the vacation period meaningfully for young people, a number of sports competitions and cultural events are being organized under the initiative of the Namangan Regional Department of Youth Affairs. Among these, the 'Namangan Summer - 2026' classic chess tournament was held at a high level in the Chess Club of the 'Youth Center' in Namangan city.
The competition was held in cooperation with the Regional Sports Department and the Regional Chess Federation. According to the final results, Khushnudbek Haidaraliyev, a representative of Yangiqorgon district, won by leaving all his opponents behind. In the women's matches, there was no equal opponent for Fatima Olimjonova from Kosonsoy district.
Within the tournament, separate categories were also organized for boys and girls aged 8, 10, and 12. In these competitions, individual awards were presented to the participants who achieved the best results in each age category. During the formal award ceremony, diplomas, medals, and monetary prizes were presented to all winners and prize-winners by the organizers.
Such competitions play an important role in developing the mental potential of young chess players, improving the skills of young people, and widely promoting the sport of chess.
Bukhara is becoming an increasingly attractive region not only due to its ancient historical and cultural heritage but also in the sphere of industry and investment. Thanks to large-scale reforms being carried out in the province, the creation of a favorable environment for investors, and the new level of international cooperation, leading global companies are showing significant interest in Bukhara.
One of the major partners that has shown interest is China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC)—an influential engineering and construction company from China specializing in the oil and gas industry. CPECC is part of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Founded in 1980, this company is recognized as one of the largest engineering and construction contractors in the oil and gas industry, with over forty years of experience. It regularly appears in international rankings as one of the 225 largest contracting organizations.
CPECC provides services covering the entire production cycle in the oil and gas sector. Its activities include the construction of large industrial facilities based on the EPC model (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), engineering consulting, technological construction and installation, manufacturing of modern equipment, as well as facility operation and maintenance.
The company has been operating in Uzbekistan's energy sector for over ten years. During this period, CPECC has made a significant contribution to strengthening strategic partnership between the two countries by participating in the implementation of the country's most important energy projects. Among the implemented projects are the modernization of the oil refinery in Bukhara in cooperation with JSC Uzbekneftegaz, the construction of a main gas pipeline with a total length of 410 kilometers for the Kandim gas field, the construction of gas collection infrastructure at 53 well sites and 24 complex technological stations, the creation of ground facilities for gas condensate fields in the Bukhara region, and the construction of compressor stations and auxiliary facilities for the 'Central Asia – China' main gas pipeline in Uzbekistan.
Currently, the company is moving to a new important stage of its activities. Plans include establishing new production of modern technological equipment for the modernization of oil refineries and petrochemical complexes in the special industrial zone 'Bukhara Industrial Complex'. This will not only allow for the production of products that substitute imports but also create high value-added products, open new jobs, and increase the potential of local industry.
Discussions regarding this promising project took place between the Governor of the Bukhara region, Botir Zaripov, and the company's coordinator in Uzbekistan, Fan Ziyu. The meeting involved detailed discussions on the organizational, technical, and investment aspects of the project's implementation. The Governor emphasized that thanks to the country's open and pragmatic economic policy, a stable and reliable business environment has been formed in Bukhara for both local and foreign investors. He also provided detailed information about the tax and customs benefits offered to investors in the special industrial zone, as well as about the developed engineering and communication networks and convenient infrastructure, stating his readiness to provide comprehensive practical assistance in implementing this project.
The parties agreed to continue negotiations, prepare technical and economic documents, and advance the project to a practical stage.
In accordance with the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on measures to further improve the system of supporting civil society institutions, ministries, departments, the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, as well as the mayoral offices of the regions and Tashkent city are obliged to hold open meetings with representatives of civil society institutions at the regional and sectoral level at least once a year.
To ensure compliance with this decree, an open meeting was held at the National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of Uzbekistan (UzNNTMA) with the participation of representatives of the Department of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of the Ministry of Justice and NNT activists.
The central focus of the event was the issues of supporting civil society institutions, increasing their legal literacy, and developing partnerships with state bodies. During the meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of sincerity and keen interest, NNT representatives raised the most relevant and practical legal issues concerning this sphere.
Proposals were put forward aimed at simplifying the re-registration procedures for NNTs, as well as easing the process of informing justice authorities when third sectors travel abroad to develop international ties. Furthermore, detailed clarifications were provided regarding certain offenses and rules that may constitute grounds for administrative liability in the activities of NNTs.
A. Makhsudov, Deputy Head of the Department of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of the Ministry of Justice, noted that simplifying legal norms and procedures for NNT activities will contribute to increasing the activity of civil society institutions in the socio-economic life of the country and building a strong civil society. At the end of the event, members of the National Association of Non-Governmental Non-Commercial Organizations of Uzbekistan, which unites over 2400 NNTs, were presented with membership certificates and special "Welcome box" kits for new organizations.
