A solemn event took place in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the launch of new production facilities and the start of major initiatives. Significant growth has occurred thanks to the creation of favorable conditions for business and investment in the region: the gross regional product increased from 8.5 trillion soums in 2016 to over 54 trillion soums at the beginning of the current year.
The private sector now accounts for 66 percent of production, and the number of operating enterprises has grown 2.5 times, reaching 26,500 units. Over the past nine years, more than 5 billion dollars in investments have been attracted to the economy of Karakalpakstan, and by the end of the current year, foreign investment is expected to reach 2.5 billion dollars. The number of operating foreign and joint ventures has increased 2.2 times to 271.
Launch and commencement of new projects
During the ceremony, 11 projects with a total value of 592 million dollars were officially commissioned, and construction has also started on 47 new initiatives, which will cost 7 billion dollars and provide 8,000 high-paying jobs.
Two wind power plants with a total capacity of 300 megawatts and an energy storage system with a capacity of 100 megawatts began operating in Karauziak district. In Nukus, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital with 100 beds was opened, built with assistance from the United Arab Emirates for 27 million dollars, creating 80 jobs. Additionally, the Karakalpak Scientific and Practical Medical Academy began its activities in the region's capital, designed to improve the qualifications of local specialists.
In Tahiatash district, the first stage of the modular intelligent computing center for the 'Linkwise' enterprise, valued at 150 million dollars, was launched. Nukus' transport infrastructure has been developed through the 'SAPSAN TRANS NO‘KIS' company project worth 20 million dollars; 25 buses and electric buses have already been delivered under this project, and another 75 electric buses are planned to arrive by the end of the year.
Directions of new construction projects
New construction plans cover sectors such as energy, transport, industry, medicine, services, and the digital economy. In Kungrad district, with the participation of the Saudi company 'ACWA', the active phase of building a large wind power plant with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts has begun, which will cost 2.6 billion dollars. This project includes laying 1,500 kilometers of high-voltage lines and constructing three 500-kilovolt substations.
In Chimbay district, jointly with investors from the Republic of Korea, the country's first production of 3 million cubic meters of biogas annually from chicory root processing has started. To improve transport links, with the support of the Asian Development Bank, work has begun on the 92-kilometer section of the A-380 'Guzar – Bukhara – Nukus – Beyneu' highway, costing 233 million dollars. A project was also signed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the purchase of 112 electric buses for Nukus.
In Kungrad and Tahiatash districts, Chinese partners are implementing large projects to create data centers for artificial intelligence and digital currency production totaling 2.281 billion dollars; a similar data center is also planned to be built in Takhtakupyr district. In Nukus, construction has started on a waste thermal treatment plant for electricity generation. Gold mining will begin at the 'Zengibobo' deposit, a project estimated at 20 million dollars. A large shopping center is planned for construction in Amudaryo district for 15 million dollars.
Jointly with Indian partners, a medical university and a high-tech clinic are being established based on public-private partnerships. Turkish investors plan to build a shopping and entertainment complex in Nukus on the banks of the 'Dustlik' canal, costing 103 million dollars. Furthermore, in the region's capital, a residential complex 'New Uzbekistan' covering an area of 270 hectares, designed for 30,000 residents, will begin construction.
Previously, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Karakalpak Scientific and Practical Medical Academy, which was established as a basic center for retraining medical personnel using advanced technologies and international standards.
