Key facts
- Industrial production in Uzbekistan's Special Economic Zones increased by 42.7% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching nearly €3.12 billion.
- Foreign direct investment inflows are growing by approximately 20-25% annually.
- Uzbekistan operates 31 Special Economic Zones, alongside hundreds of smaller industrial sites and technoparks.
- The Navoi Free Economic Zone has 73 operational projects employing over 8,000 people and plans 18 more major projects by 2029.
- The Tashkent region Special Economic Zone hosts 71 foreign enterprises, with 119 projects launched since 2012 worth €1.3 billion.
- The Termez International Trade Center has created over 1,300 jobs and hosts 255 entrepreneurs.
Uzbekistan's network of special economic zones (SEZs) is proving to be a significant driver for attracting foreign investment and boosting manufacturing capacity, with industrial production in these zones seeing a substantial rise.
Government figures indicate that industrial production within SEZs reached nearly €3.12 billion in the first nine months of 2025, marking a 42.7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This growth is accompanied by rising foreign direct investment inflows, as authorities enhance infrastructure and industrial capabilities to cater to the demands of international businesses.
Uzbekistan currently manages 31 SEZs, complemented by numerous smaller industrial sites and technoparks. The demand from international companies is particularly concentrated in the logistics, export-oriented manufacturing, and regional trade sectors. Sahib Saifnazarov, head of the Department of Free Economic Zones at the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade, noted that annual foreign direct investment inflows are growing by around 20% to 25%. He also highlighted the increasing demand for industrial land, transport infrastructure, and energy supply, with a growing emphasis on renewable energy projects and the involvement of experienced international management companies.
The Navoi Free Economic Zone, a major industrial hub, is expanding its manufacturing and logistics capabilities. Ma’murjon Murodullayev, deputy director of the zone’s administration, stated that over 90 projects valued at approximately €2.2 billion are situated there, with 73 already operational and employing more than 8,000 individuals. Future plans include 18 major projects between 2026 and 2029, expected to create nearly 2,000 additional jobs. In 2025, the zone exported close to €132 million worth of products to markets including CIS countries, Europe, and China, with projections to exceed €141 million next year. Navoi is also developing into a multimodal transport hub, with infrastructure projects at Navoi International Airport aimed at supporting cargo volumes and transit traffic, with the strategic goal of becoming a central Eurasian transit hub. Plans include a new cargo terminal, express shipment facilities, and an aircraft maintenance center by 2029.
The Tashkent region Special Economic Zone is another key destination for foreign manufacturers, particularly from China, which accounts for the largest share of its 71 foreign enterprises. Russian investors are also significantly present, and negotiations are underway with Japanese and Korean partners. Since its establishment in 2012, the zone has seen 119 enterprises worth €1.3 billion launched, with 112 additional projects valued at approximately $1.2 billion under construction, expected to generate over 11,000 jobs. Industrial output has reached nearly €870 million, with products exported to nearly 30 countries. One investor, Showaib Mirzoi, is developing a beverage production project with an initial investment of around €112 million, citing Uzbekistan's industrial development opportunities and growing market.
Further south, the Termez International Trade Center, near the Afghan border, is emerging as a vital commercial gateway. Opened in August 2024, it hosts over 255 entrepreneurs, including 129 Afghan citizens, and has created more than 1,300 jobs. Businesses from Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have established operations, with Chinese companies also entering the market. The center's strategic location facilitates trade routes through Afghanistan, and interest from international businesses is reportedly growing daily. Entrepreneurs like Shamsiddin Taganov are utilizing the center to export confectionery products to Afghanistan, benefiting from logistical support and tax incentives.