Uzbekistan Launches $50 Million Tourism Project at Chartak Reservoir

Uzbekistan plans to invest $50 million in developing a year-round tourist hub on the shores of Chartak Reservoir in Namangan region, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on 16 September.

The announcement came during a meeting focused on the socio-economic development of the region, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

According to presidential spokesperson Sherzod Asadov, the complex will feature hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. The initiative aims to tap into the district’s underutilized tourism potential, which has so far been constrained by the absence of booking systems and other basic services.

Mirziyoyev also instructed the development of another major tourism project - a center designed to host up to 1 million visitors annually on a 1,200-hectare site near Lake Arashan in Pap district.

The president noted that poverty in Namangan region has declined 2.5 times in recent years, while average real incomes have tripled. Since 2017, the region has attracted $7 billion in foreign investment, leading to the launch of around 8,000 enterprises and a twofold increase in the diversity of exports.

Today, around 82% of the region’s working-age residents are engaged in small businesses or entrepreneurship. Authorities in Namangan and its 14 districts have been tasked with securing an additional $4.2 billion in investments this year, increasing exports to $1 billion, creating 323,000 jobs, and lifting 26,000 families out of poverty.

Tourism is emerging as a key driver of regional development. Since the beginning of the year, Namangan has welcomed 3.2 million visitors, including 1.2 million foreigners. The export of services has surpassed $200 million. The ongoing reconstruction of Namangan Airport is expected to increase passenger capacity 2.5 times.

The comprehensive program for regional growth also includes concreting 7 km of the banks of the Chartaksay River and the Greater Namangan Canal, as well as the construction of health resorts. Plans call for 11 km of pedestrian and cycling paths along Chartaksay, while Furkat Park will undergo reconstruction and expansion as part of a project implemented in partnership with the World Bank.