From Ayran to Ceramics – Kushnarenko Visited Enterprises of the Kokand Free Economic Zone

Kushnarenko, Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, familiarized himself with the industrial potential of three major enterprises of the Kokand Free Economic Zone in the Fergana Region during a working visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on September 23.

For reference, the Kokand FEZ, established in 2017 by presidential decree of Shavkat Mirziyev, is one of the key industrial production sites of Uzbekistan. During the visit, parties discussed possibilities for expanding bilateral interaction, strengthening cooperative ties, and attracting new investments.

Industrial Potential and Growth Points

To speak of it, the Kokand FEZ demonstrates rapid development rates. According to recent state decisions, the territory of the zone is being actively expanded: by the end of 2026, investments exceeding $1 billion US dollars are planned to be developed there. Realization of large-scale projects will enable the creation of more than 11,700 jobs and boost production capacities by nearly $1 billion annually.

Today, the FEZ represents a diversified industrial hub where the following directions are actively developing:

1. First – the textile and garment industry: here are located companies at the level of Abu Dhabi Home Textile.
2. Second – the food industry. Large enterprises are already functioning successfully, including milk processing plants. Alexey Kushnarenko tasted ayran and kefir, as well as kurta (solid cheese ball) from SADAF SUT SMONS. Governor of the Minsk region and General Director of JSC "Slutsk Cheese Plant" Alexander Gerasimenko inspected the production, which largely favors manual labor. – We want our people to eat exclusively natural foods, explained the representative of the dairy company.
3. Third direction – building materials (ceramic tile production, porcelain and plastic products), chemistry and pharmaceuticals: the zone has modern infrastructure for launching productions of any complexity. The head of the Central Region familiarized himself with an enterprise that produces ceramic tiles, including seamless ones and those with a wooden panel effect. Another enterprise, which the governor also visited, produces drywall for various purposes.
4. And fourth – machine building and the high-tech sector. Plans include creating clusters for copper recycling, as well as launching lines for assembling electric vehicles and e-scooters.

Investment attractiveness

For residents of “Kokand” a special legal regime is provided, valid for 30 years. Investors are offered a package of tax benefits and customs preferences: exemption from land tax, profit tax and property tax, as well as duty-free import of equipment and raw materials. The extent of preferences directly depends on the volume of invested investments, which makes the site extremely attractive for business.

Products produced in the SEZ have firmly established themselves in the markets of CIS, EU and Asian countries — according to the results of 2025, export volume exceeded 138 million US dollars.

The visit of the Minsk region delegation was an important step in strengthening industrial dialogue between the regions of Belarus and Uzbekistan, opening new horizons for the implementation of joint business initiatives.