What investment is being planned in the Samarkand region?
A Chinese company is preparing to invest approximately $500 million in the construction of a major paper manufacturing facility in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region.
The initiative comes from Huanrong Paper Company, which intends to develop a large-scale industrial complex focused on paper and cardboard production.
What products will the new plant manufacture?
According to the Samarkand regional administration, the future facility will specialize in the production of industrial cardboard, various packaging materials, and office paper.
The project proposal was officially presented during a meeting held late last week between the company’s management and the regional governor, Adiz Boboev.
How will the project be implemented?
The construction and launch of the plant are planned to take place in five separate phases, with the total investment volume estimated at around $500 million.
More than 50 hectares of land will be required for the project. Huanrong Paper is currently considering a site in the “Hishrau-2” area of Samarkand, which is located within the Urgut free economic zone.
What economic impact is expected from the facility?
Once the plant becomes fully operational, it is expected to generate approximately 3,000 new jobs for the local population.
Annual tax contributions to the state budget are projected to reach between $50 million and $60 million.
Company representatives emphasized that this facility would be the first paper and cardboard manufacturing plant of such scale in Central Asia.
What support will regional authorities provide?
The Samarkand regional government confirmed its readiness to provide full support for the project.
This includes assistance with administrative and organizational procedures, infrastructure development, and overall coordination throughout all stages of implementation.
How does this project fit into broader Chinese investment trends?
The announcement reflects the continued growth of Chinese investment activity in Uzbekistan. As of January 1, a total of 5,044 companies with Chinese capital were operating in the country, including 748 joint ventures.
In 2025 alone, the number of such companies increased by 1.5 times, representing the addition of 1,687 new firms.