Uzbekistan wants to attract $50 bln in foreign investment in 2026
TASHKENT. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan plans to attract foreign investment in the amount of $50 billion in 2026, Uzbek media reported.
Tasks to ensure high rates of economic growth in the sectors and regions of Uzbekistan were considered at a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Speaking about investment, Mirziyoyev drew attention to the fact that new projects should be focused on producing export-oriented products with high added value, efficient use of resources and the creation of high-income jobs.
In this regard, instructions were issued to conduct a comprehensive analysis of each project included in the investment program for 2026, with an assessment of the market, export potential, added value and jobs created.
It was reported that strict control will be established not only over the launch of investment projects, but also over their subsequent operation, the creation of high added value and the export of products to foreign markets. For this purpose, it is planned that a Unified National Project Management platform will be created, which will monitor the implementation of each project for three years after launch.
"Touching upon the targets set for 2026, the president emphasized that the plan to raise gross domestic product to $167 billion with an expected economic growth rate of 6.6% is based on a conservative forecast formed taking into account the current geopolitical situation and external economic volatility," the media said.
The meeting also discussed increasing the efficiency of strategic enterprises and reducing costs.
It was noted that, according to an analysis by Franklin Templeton, engaged to manage the National Investment Fund, there is significant untapped potential in the areas of strengthening corporate culture, optimizing logistics, digitalization and improving energy efficiency. The heads of 19 strategic enterprises were instructed to take measures in procurement, logistics, digitalization and energy efficiency and to ensure a reduction in production costs of 10%-15%.
"Savings should be ensured not by reducing production, but by reducing the cost per unit of output," Mirziyoyev was quoted as saying.
The necessity of integrating strategic enterprises into the Unified Treasury information system and stopping inefficient expenditures through procurement classification based on risk analysis was emphasized.
Shortcomings in the development of regional industry were sharply criticized. Despite the fact that Uzbekistan's industry grew 21% over three years, in a number of districts growth did not reach 10%, and in some regions, the increase in credit resources and investments does not have a proportional impact on the development of the industrial sector, a press release said.
According to the press release, it was decided to approve regional plans to ensure industrial growth, as well as to evaluate the performance of managers taking into account the identified problems and their solutions following Q1 results.
According to data previously published by the authorities, Uzbekistan's economic growth amounted to 7.7% in 2025, and GDP reached $147 billion. Inflation fell from 9.8% in 2024 to 7.3% in 2025.
