The XII International Book Fair 'Baku Book Fair' has started in the city of Baku. The delegation of Uzbekistan is actively participating in the event, demonstrating to the world public the rich literary heritage of its country, the products of the national publishing industry, and the culture of reading.
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New city construction, water supply improvement, tourism development, and road infrastructure are planned in Kashkadarya
During a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Kashkadarya region, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined goals for building a new city, improving water supply, and other areas of development. This was reported by the president's press service.
The construction of Yangi Qarshi, a city designed for 500,000 residents, is planned. This new city will be established on a 5,000-hectare territory located at the border of the cities of Qarshi, Qo'kdala, and the Qarshi district, taking into account the growing demand for housing in Kashkadarya.
Furthermore, an eco-complex named 'Yangi Nasaf' with an area of 235 hectares will begin construction along the canal near Qarshi. Renowned architectural firms have been engaged to develop the master plan for the new territories, with an initial allocation of 20 billion sums for this purpose.
Water supply has been recognized as one of the most pressing issues in the region. Within two months, out of 1 trillion sums allocated this year, it is planned to complete the construction of 747 kilometers of water and sewage networks, as well as build 43 facilities, which will provide clean drinking water to 200,000 people.
The water supply network will be connected to the cities of Qarshi, Qamashi, Guzor, and the Qarshi district from the Hisorak reservoir. 100 billion sums have been allocated for the implementation of this project, and an additional 210 million dollars are being attracted to ensure clean water for 350,000 residents.
In addition, the Tolimarjon – Muborak water system will be reconstructed to improve water supply for 700,000 residents in the districts of Nishon, Kasbi, Mirishkor, Muborak, and Qarshi. It was determined that the technical and economic justification for this project must be completed by April 1, 2027, and the funding required will amount to 150 million dollars.
Thus, it is planned to cover a total of 1,250,000 people through three main directions.
With the participation of the Asian Development Bank, a 100-kilometer section of the A-380 highway passing through Kashkadarya will be reconstructed. The cost of this project is 350 million dollars.
It is also planned to extend the ring road of the city of Qarshi by another 5.5 kilometers, which will connect to this main highway. The goal is to prepare the technical and economic justification by the end of the year and start construction in January 2027.
Moreover, two modern interchanges will be built to reduce congestion at the railway crossings of the 'Qarshi – Pomuq' and 'Guzor – Beynau' roads.
Masdar, a company from the United Arab Emirates, plans to commission a solar power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts and an energy storage system with a capacity of 75 megawatts in Kashkadarya in 2027. The cost of this project is estimated at 250 million dollars.
In the Qarshi district, the waste-to-energy production project with the participation of Chinese partners is also nearing completion, with a capacity of 45 megawatts.
To improve electricity supply, two large substations worth 70 million dollars will be built in Nishon and Qo'kdala. On the Tolimarjon – So'g'diona route, a new power line with a length of 245 kilometers will be created using 150 million dollars. These works are scheduled to be completed in 2027.
The President instructed to expand the experience of the Institute of Higher Professional Education in the city of Qarshi. 32 masters from this technical college studied in Germany and are now transferring their knowledge to 57 technical college teachers in the region.
Annually, 2,500 students from grades 10–11 receive both a school certificate and a professional certificate at this institution. German teachers, in turn, teach German language and professions to 1,500 young people annually.
According to the President, graduates of the technical college are offered jobs in Europe with salaries ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 euros per month. Currently, procedures are being developed to attract schoolchildren from rural areas to this technical college and to 57 educational institutions operating under the new methodology.
Additionally, starting in 2027, certain subjects will be taught in a foreign language in one of the schools in all districts of Kashkadarya. By the end of the year, a robotics club will open in every district. An annual regional championship among students is held in March, where the first place receives a reward of 30 million, second place 20 million, and third place 10 million sums.
Since the beginning of the year, 2.5 million tourists have visited the region, with 500,000 people visiting only the village of Gelon.
The launch of the first phase of the mountain resort complex in Gelon in cooperation with Tatarstan is planned for 2027. The transformation of the villages of Taragay into Chiroqchi, Bashir into Kitobe, and Tatar into Yakkabog in centers of ethnotourism is also being considered, while rafting and sports tourism will be developed in the villages of Sayod and Suvtushar in the Shahrisabz district.
Responsible persons have been instructed to develop a master plan for these six villages within a month and to start projects worth 50 million dollars from March 1, 2027.
Every summer, gastronomic festivals 'Lola va Kabob' are held in Guzor, and 'Chiyal Yakhna' in Qo'kdala.
The goal has been set to expand income opportunities for an additional 200,000 people in Kashkadarya's agriculture. In collaboration with the World Bank, on 100,000 hectares of pastureland across eight districts, drought- and salinity-resistant fodder crops will begin to be grown using drones, based on Egyptian experience.
According to space data, an additional 30,000 hectares of land have been identified that can be used for agricultural purposes. Additionally, intensive orchards, greenhouses, and high-yield crops are planned to be cultivated on 22,000 leased hectares.
To improve the existing irrigation system, 265 kilometers of canals will be concreted and 20 pumps modernized in 2027. In the same year, water-saving technologies will be implemented on 75,000 hectares.
The experience of the Chim mahalla in the Qamashi district will be expanded: a school, kindergarten, polyclinic, youth center, and sports complex were created there, resulting in no poor families or unemployed individuals in the mahalla. The President instructed to create two modern mahalla centers in each district by Independence Day 2027, based on this experience.
Special attention is also paid to animal husbandry. Annually before Navruz, the 'Greenest Mahalla' competition is held, where winners are awarded electric cars and other valuable gifts.
Norway Considers Investing in Nuclear Weapons Manufacturing Companies
The Norwegian government has proposed allowing investments in companies involved in the production of nuclear weapons using the state fund, which holds assets worth over two trillion euros.
If this change is adopted, major defense companies from the UK, France, and the US, which were previously banned, could re-enter the fund's portfolio.
Meeting held in Urganch city with the project 'A Day with Jaloliddin Izdoldari'
In the city of Urganch, a meeting was organized as part of the project 'A Day with Jaloliddin Izdoldari' for students and youth studying in schools of remote districts of the region.
This meeting took place at the Jaloliddin Manguberdidi Military-Academic Lyceum.