A phytosanitary permit has been obtained for the export of freshly harvested grapes produced in Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea. Thanks to negotiations with this partner country and concluded phytosanitary agreements, one of the country's signature products, Sarhil fruits, can now be sent to a state with high purchasing potential that imposes strict requirements on food products.
Last year, grape exports demonstrated new record figures. The harvest from orchards in Samarkand, Fergana, and Navoiy reached markets in the UK, the Persian Gulf countries, and even Scandinavian states. Now, gates are opening to East Asia for Uzbek fruits.
According to Nargiza Murodjonova, a specialist from the Food Safety Committee, the main production areas are concentrated in the regions of Samarkand, Fergana, and Bukhara. Last year, Uzbek grapes were exported to the Japanese market in large volumes for the first time. Obtaining a phytosanitary permit for the South Korean market this year indicates an expansion of export opportunities in countries with strict phytosanitary requirements.
Currently, entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan can export this product to 35 countries while complying with phytosanitary standards. Furthermore, the main buyers today are Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus. When exporting, the absence of product damage during transportation and its presence in quality packaging is very important. It is especially important to provide complete information about the product when exporting to Korea.
As in international trade, where every country has its own requirements, the phytosanitary service of the Republic of Korea is ready to import grapes grown in orchards and packing enterprises included in Uzbekistan's special registry. This registry is formed preliminarily as a result of inspections conducted jointly with Korean quarantine specialists. During these checks, harmful organisms found in the orchards, as well as substances used against them and chemical preparations, are analyzed.
For reference, grapes are considered one of the most common fruits in the world. According to International Organization data, nearly 74 million tons of grapes were grown worldwide in 2024. The largest producers are China, India, Egypt, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. The annual harvest in the country exceeds 1.4 million tons. Experts believe that opening the South Korean market has become an additional important export direction for the local viticulture sector, and the striving to produce competitive products contributes to the growth of indicators in this field.
Uzbekistan has set a goal to increase electricity production from 82 to 120 billion kilowatt-hours over the last five years. Industrial expansion, population growth, and active development of the digital economy are bringing the industry to a new level. This process is assessed as a major investment test for the entire Central Asian region.
At the International Investment Forum in Tashkent, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a plan to achieve a share of 54 percent from renewable energy sources by 2030. To realize this goal, the country has attracted nearly $6 billion for 'green' energy projects and also plans to allocate another $4 billion for the modernization of power transmission grids.
International financial institutions are actively participating in this process. In particular, large solar power plants and energy storage systems supported by the EBRD are shaping the new face of the republic's energy sector. Large-scale projects, such as 'Masdar' in Kashkadarya and other facilities implemented in partnership with ACWA Power, demonstrate the country's grand ambitions in the field of renewable energy.
The issues are not limited to solar and wind energy. Construction of the first nuclear power plant has begun in the Jizzakh province. This project will include two large and one small modular reactor. Experts believe that nuclear energy will ensure stable energy supply and allow for the efficient use of natural gas in other sectors of the economy.
Analysts note that Uzbekistan's energy strategy takes on a much broader significance than just a production task. A plan has been developed that provides for increasing industrial capacity, creating an ecosystem that supports the entire economy, and developing data processing centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Success in this area will undoubtedly be an important criterion not only for national development but also for the entire regional investment climate.
The celebration of the Day of Press and Mass Media Workers took place at the Berdak Theater in Karakalpakstan on June 27.
The Chairman of the Jogorku Kengesh of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Amambai Orinbayev, congratulated those present on the professional holiday. It was noted that in recent years, under the leadership of the President, large-scale measures are being taken to ensure freedom of information and support the media. The work of industry employees in conveying changes in the socio-political and economic life of the country to the public is highly valued, especially within the concept of 'For Human Dignity'. In honor of the holiday, several workers were awarded distinctions, including the 'Shuhrat' medal from 'Jaslar TV' channel and 'Nukus FM' radio.
In recent years, the decentralization of state governance in Uzbekistan and the direct delivery of services to mahallas, as well as decision-making at the lowest level of society based on the principle of 'human dignity,' have become the main directions of systemic reforms.
The mahalla is no longer just a self-governing body; it has become a unique institution of civil society responsible for solving social problems of the population, supporting entrepreneurship, and defining the moral and legal environment of the region.
It is necessary to recognize the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted in December 2023, titled 'On measures to fundamentally enhance the role of the Mahalla institution in society and ensure its functioning as the first link in solving people's problems,' and the resolution 'On launching the activities of the Association of Uzbek Mahallas and taking additional measures to improve the governance system in mahallas' as an important step in perfecting the mahalla system.
Based on these documents, the previous 'mahalla council' composition was expanded, leading to the emergence of the 'mahalla seven-member' institution with the inclusion of a tax inspector and a social worker. This change is a profound renewal not only in number but also in substance.
Currently, the deputy mayor under the head of the mahalla, youth leaders, women activists, prevention and tax inspectors, and social workers work as a single team. This system allows for the coordination of areas such as social protection, poverty reduction, employment provision, and encouragement of economic activity based on the 'one-window' principle. At the same time, a legal and organizational basis has been created for state services to be provided to the population in an even easier, faster, and more convenient form.
As part of the ongoing reforms, 2026 has been declared the 'Year of Developing the Mahalla and Advancing Society.' Within this year's State Program, the practice of appointing 'seven-member' members from the local population or nearby areas in 500 mahallas is increasing the popular nature of the system. Furthermore, strict rules regarding the exemption of employees from unnecessary meetings and assignments are serving to increase the efficiency of their activities.
Today, the mahalla is a technologically equipped area. The 'Digital Mahalla' electronic platform integrates all links, from the mahalla head to the deputy mayor, into a single system. Through this platform, the population can submit their appeals online and monitor their execution in real-time. This system reduces bureaucracy while creating the possibility of objectively evaluating employee performance based on key performance indicators (KPIs), which increases the responsibility of each employee.
According to data from the Association of Uzbek Mahallas, many activities were carried out in 2025 in 8,992 mahallas with over 55 thousand 'seven-member' employees and nearly 1 million participants. In the scope of these activities, 2,090 (23%) mahallas were turned into unemployment-free areas. Additionally, poverty decreased sharply in 1,435 (16%) mahallas, and the crime rate was lowered and a safe environment was created in 4,388 (49%) mahallas.
It should be specifically emphasized that the work carried out to ensure the employment and social rehabilitation of 428 thousand migrants returning from abroad demonstrates what an important social force the mahalla is.
Another strategic direction of the reforms is the financial independence of the mahallas. Based on the presidential decree, 15% of the funds collected from property and land taxes will be directed to funds for solving the socio-economic problems of the mahalla directly. Increasing transparency in the use of mahalla funds and fully delegating decision-making authority to mahalla councils is set as a priority task in the 2026 Reforms Program.
