TASHKENT (UzReport) — The Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan plans to implement more than 1,100 new investment projects worth more than $1 bln by the end of this year, the press service of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reported yesterday.

According to the presidential press service, the newly created enterprises are expected to produce goods worth some $570 mln annually. Their products will replace $131 mln worth of imported items and will also be exported for $180 mln. More than 19,000 jobs would be created,

These projects are in the cotton processing and construction sectors.

The press service added that construction organisations in the region use 106 mln tonnes of drywall, 102,000 m² of tiles and other building materials every year.

There are also plans to channel investments into fruit and vegetable cultivation, using steppe areas for farming.

“The potato and vegetable cultivation projects in the foothill villages of the Shakhrisabz district are of both economic and social importance. To this end, the population will be allocated plots of land; the ready products will be purchased on a cooperative basis. According to estimates, this will make it possible to meet 34% of the regional demand for potatoes”, the press service concludes.