In 2026, Uzbekistan’s Syrdarya region, together with Chinese investors, will launch a $122 million project to establish automobile production — a new example of deepening cooperation between the two countries. Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Syrdarya Regional People’s Council, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed local authorities to strengthen and expand their partnerships with China, the presidential press service reported.
Officials noted that in recent years, 31 enterprises worth a total of $500 million have been commissioned in the region in cooperation with Chinese companies, creating 5,000 high-income jobs. Collaboration with Chinese business circles continues, with plans for 40 additional projects worth $700 million.
During the session, it was stated that the Syrdarya Free Industrial Zone had expanded by 1,080 hectares after absorbing parts of the cities of Yangiyer, Gulistan and Shirin, as well as territories of several districts. With the enlarged zone offering new space for investment, regional mayors were urged to attract fresh investors and capitalize on opportunities to implement projects amounting to at least $4 billion.
To that end, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to carefully assess project feasibility, prepare investor presentations, and send a Syrdarya delegation — including district and city leaders — to China.
Regional authorities were also tasked with establishing direct cooperation with several Chinese provinces and cities: Jiangsu, Shandong and Guangdong in construction materials; Tianjin in the chemical industry; Fujian and Hong Kong in electrical engineering; Shandong and Xinjiang in light industry; and Shanghai and Jiangxi in pharmaceuticals.
Plans also include creating the “Uzbekistan–Shanghai Cooperation Organization” trade and industrial zone in Gulistan, expected to provide at least 5,000 jobs. Facilities in the zone will be offered to entrepreneurs as ready-to-launch projects through industrial mortgages or leasing.
Mirziyoyev stressed the need to adopt international best practices in other spheres, particularly social and economic development. The first deputy mayors of 11 Syrdarya districts will undergo training at the International Poverty Reduction Center in Beijing, and 50 young residents of the region will attend automotive maintenance courses in the Chinese capital.
Several education initiatives were also discussed. Gulistan University will open a vocational training center under China’s Luban Workshop program, and a new joint higher-education institution specializing in pharmaceutical technologies will be established at the medical college in Syrdarya district.
