It is no coincidence that Fergana, which has captivated people from around the world since ancient times, is often referred to as a “pearl”. Located on the Great Silk Road, our region has been a hub for trade, economic, cultural, and educational development for centuries, making significant contributions to world civilization.

This land is prominent all over the world by its great scholars, scientists, poets, and personalities in the fields of science and technology. We are proud that it was the birthplace of such great people as Ahmad Al-Ferghani, Burhaniddin Al-Marghinani, and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur.

Since our country achieved independence, the Ferghana region has experienced unprecedented development and transformed into one of the most beautiful and modern cities. With its captivating nature, historical monuments, and unique culture, it has become a tourist center that attracts visitors from around the world.

The cities like Kokand and Margilan have gained international recognition. It’s no wonder that the World Festival of Craftsmen was held in the historic city of Kokand, earning it the title “the city of the World craftsmen”, and Margilan has been acknowledged as “the city of the World silk and ikat craftsmen”.

The Fergana region boasts a wealth of ancient heritage sites and monuments that speak volumes about our history. Tourists from all over the world visit historical monuments such as “Khudoyorkhon’s horde", “Jome mosque”, “Dahmai shohon”, “Norbotabiy”, “Miyon Hazrat”, “Pursiddik”, “Kaptari mozor”, and shrines as Shohimardon, “Ahmad Al-Ferghan”, “Burkhoniddin Al-Marghinani”, and the ecotourism center “Mehrigiyo” with great interest and admiration.

Our region is rapidly developing in terms of higher education, schools, cultural institutions, and public services. Housing construction is also a priority in the region. Ecocity in the territory of Ferghana city and “Uzbekistan massif” in the centers of the districts with residential complexes has been built. Our industrial and agricultural products, manufactured to world standards, are exported to numerous countries, and there is substantial interest from foreign investors to do business in Fergana. We have a large number of enterprises that have been established at the expense of foreign investment are successfully operating.

In the past period of 2023, the volume of foreign direct investment was 436.6 million dollars. This indicator is in the second place among the regions of the Republic after the city of Tashkent. The main part of the introduced foreign investment was directed to the implementation of projects in the fields of textile, oil and gas, production of building materials, and service. Today, the number of countries investing in the Ferghana region has reached 44, and the enterprises invested are 180. There are 6 joint ventures with Indian participation in our region. We are also establishing a new investment project aiming at further enhancing the cooperation with India.

In January-September of this year, the export volume of the region was 524 million US dollars, and the import volume was 964 million dollars. Ferghana has established trade relations with 77 countries of the world, the foreign trade turnover is 1 billion 488 million US dollars. 

Our foreign trade turnover with India is steadily increasing, with exports including machinery, equipment, food, and services to India, and imports of machinery, equipment, chemical and oil products, ceramics, paper, toys, various knitwear and textile products. We are eager to expand friendly cooperation with India in all areas.

Our cultural ties with India trace back to ancient times. India is an ancient and legendary country. There are few people in Uzbekistan that have not read Rabindranath Tagore’s works and not watched “Mahabharat” and our hope is that the friendship, cooperation, and shared values will continue to prosper.

I encourage Indian citizens to visit and experience the charm of Fergana, the “pearl” of Central Asia.