On the district’s transformation into a high-tech industry and logistics centre
How would you evaluate Bektemir District’s developmental dynamics regarding trade and investment?
NURILLA LUTFILLAYEVICH ABDURAXMANOV: Bektemir occupies a unique position in the geography of greater Tashkent – we sit at the gateway between three major regions, which gives us a natural advantage in logistics and industrial development. The district has a population that has grown from 72,000 to 95,000 people following recent registration processes, and it encompasses more than 250 ha of land designated for industrial and commercial development.
The city’s flagship initiative is the Bektemir City project – a 39-ha smart city development being built in partnership with Malaysian investors under a preliminary agreement valued at $200m. This will serve as an anchor for a broader vision of Bektemir as a centre of high-tech industry, innovation and modern urban living, aligned with the national New Uzbekistan 2030 strategy and Tashkent’s city masterplan.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure are high on our agenda. Government officials at every level in Uzbekistan are now expected to understand and apply new technologies. AI training programmes have been developed in collaboration with UAE partners, and approximately 25% of the 973 secondary school graduates in the district in 2026 have expressed active interest in AI and its applications – a meaningful indicator of the upcoming talent pipeline.
What are the most compelling investment opportunities in Bektemir and what sectors do you see as having the greatest untapped potential?
ABDURAXMANOV: Bektemir already has a strong base in food and beverage production. Coca-Cola is among the companies operating in the district, alongside numerous local producers of juices, drinking water and other beverages. Food processing is a natural investment focus given this existing ecosystem and investor interest remains strong.
Household chemicals is a sector we have identified as having exceptional potential. Our own analysis shows domestic demand equivalent to $500m but currently only $600m of such products are imported from other countries – meaning there is virtually no local production meeting that demand. Products such as shampoos, diapers and cleaning products represent an immediate import substitution opportunity with a large and growing addressable market.
Beyond these, the district is focused on attracting eco-friendly manufacturing – companies that can demonstrate environmental standards consistent with our commitment to sustainable industrial development. The Chirchiq River project, where we have applied AI to generate multiple design options for riverbank development, is an example of how we are integrating environmental considerations into our infrastructure planning from the outset.
Which major infrastructure projects are under way or planned, and how do they integrate with Tashkent’s broader transport and logistics network?
ABDURAXMANOV: Infrastructure investment has been substantial and is continuing. We recently completed two new bridges: the Rochat Bridge, which connects to the A373 highway, and a second bridge linking our 15-year prospect with Navruz Street. These connections are not merely local conveniences – they are strategic links that reduce transit times for goods and people moving between the regions that Bektemir serves as a gateway.
The new Tashkent International Airport, currently under construction, will be located approximately 8 km from Bektemir. That proximity is a significant advantage. As the airport develops into a major regional centre, Bektemir’s position in the logistics chain becomes correspondingly more valuable. We are planning additional industrial zones across more than 400 ha of available land to accommodate the manufacturing, warehousing and logistics companies that will want to cluster near that infrastructure.
The district is also home to one of the republic’s largest food wholesale markets, where produce from all 12 regions of Uzbekistan is traded and exported. Visitors who come during the day will find a well-organised, high-volume operation that gives Bektemir genuine credentials as a food logistics centre for the wider region.
In what ways is the administration working to attract investors and what is the process for companies that want to acquire land or establish operations in the district?
ABDURAXMANOV: This is done through three primary channels. The first is direct engagement with Uzbekistan’s embassies around the world, which serve as our front line for international investor outreach. The second is the embassies of foreign countries based in Tashkent – maintaining active relationships with those diplomatic missions means we can identify interested investors and facilitate introductions efficiently. The third channel is participation in fora like the Tashkent International Investment Forum, where the mayor of Tashkent presented Bektemir’s investment case directly and held business-to-government meetings with potential investors.
For land acquisition specifically, the process is transparent and accessible: plots are available through open government auction, in which any investor can participate. This open-access model is a direct instruction from the president – every region is open to meet investors, and the land allocation process is designed to be clear and fair. The district currently hosts more than 4000 companies, of which over 800 are engaged in manufacturing. That existing community is itself an attraction: new investors arrive into an ecosystem of supply chain partners, skilled workers and established commercial relationships.
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