๏ธ President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree approving socio-economic development programs for Karakalpakstan for 2026 and subsequent years. The document was published on the Lex.uz portal.
๏ธ In 2026, plans include an 8.1% growth in gross regional product, an 8% increase in industrial... production, attracting up to $3.5 billion in foreign direct investment, and reducing unemployment to 4.2% and poverty to 3.2%. Special attention is given to creating "unemployment- and poverty-free" zones in Nukus, Kungrad, and Chimbay districts, as well as in 109 mahallas. In areas with difficult natural conditions, poverty levels are planned to be halved.
๏ธ By 2030, the gross regional product is expected to nearly double to 102.4 trillion soums, exports to increase to $900 million, projects in industry and services worth $7.2 billion to be implemented, and Karakalpakstan's capacity in data centers, modular intelligent computing centers, and cloud computing power to expand tenfold. Investment attraction in artificial intelligence technologies is estimated at over $5 billion.
๏ธ The President also approved the expansion of the "Nukus" free economic zone by 13 hectares in the Beruniy district and the creation of a technological cluster for automotive parts production. Cluster enterprises will be considered participants of the "Nukus" FEZ, with necessary infrastructure provided from the state budget. The Reconstruction and Development Fund will allocate a $60.1 million credit line for supplying machinery over ten years with a three-year grace period at a 7% annual interest rate.
๏ธ Among the priorities is the development of prospective deposits: salt in Barsakelmes, copper in Zengibobo-2, Western Sheykhdzheili, and Uchtau, gold in Kayrakhtash, and 14 sites with non-metallic minerals, including sand-gravel mixture, porphyrite, and gabbro.
๏ธ Additionally, construction of the "Aral" logistics center with dry port status is planned in the Kungrad district. Starting in 2027, foreign investors will be involved in its organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan.
