President proposes $1.5 billion polymer project using naphtha from Uzbekistan GTL

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the socio-economic development of Kashkadarya region on October 22, according to the presidential press service. The service said a $1.5 billion project to produce new polymers and petrochemical products had been proposed, based on 430,000 tonnes of naphtha from the Uzbekistan GTL plant, which is being prepared for privatization. Three large projects worth $300 million in total have also been prepared at the plant.

The capacity of the privatized Dehkanabad potash plant is planned to rise from 365,000 to 600,000 tonnes. More than 30 project proposals worth $830 million have been prepared in small-tonnage chemistry. Responsible officials were instructed to prepare a three-year programme including projects worth $20 billion and the creation of 50,000 jobs.

In the first nine months, industry in Kashkadarya grew 8.4%, services 16.6% and agriculture 4.9%. The region ranks seventh in the country for industrial output per capita. The president said that if district khokims and banks create a supportive environment, Kashkadarya could join the most advanced regions within one to two years.