Tashkent is rapidly turning its central streets into a new growth engine for the urban economy, combining nonstop retail, tourism and leisure. According to the city administration, 1,103 trade and service facilities are already operating in these upgraded territories, 315 businesses have switched to a round-the-clock work schedule, and around 30 foreign brands have started operations there.
Tashkent bets on round the clock urban economy
The designated streets and zones have quickly become a new point of economic growth for the capital. More than 4,900 permanent jobs have been created, while tax revenues from these areas have tripled. For the city, this is not only additional budget income, but also a sign that retail, services, hospitality and urban entertainment are moving out of the informal shadow and consolidating in well-managed, infrastructure-rich corridors.
The transition of hundreds of entrepreneurs to a 24/7 regime changes the logic of doing business in Tashkent. Longer operating hours increase turnover and demand new approaches to staffing, logistics, safety and energy use. For investors, this creates both opportunities and challenges: returns can grow, but so do expectations regarding service quality, design, and operational efficiency.
The arrival of about 30 foreign brands shows that international players see potential in Tashkent’s consumer market and tourism flow. Their presence usually raises standards in store formats, interiors, customer experience and digital services, which in turn motivates local companies to modernize and differentiate. For international partners, this is a convenient entry point: the regulatory framework and urban infrastructure are being adapted specifically to support new formats of urban consumption.
New streets and embankments reshape commercial geography
The expansion is far from over. The city is now developing 18 additional trade, tourist and gastronomic streets with a total length of 21.8 kilometers, as well as three embankment walking zones stretching 4.6 kilometers. These projects will not only extend the geography of active urban life but will also concentrate demand for modern commercial real estate, public spaces and hospitality facilities in new districts.
Each new street effectively becomes a compact ecosystem where retail, cafes, hotels, service providers and entertainment venues can cluster. For developers and construction companies, this means a stable pipeline of projects for building and reconstructing facades, interiors, small architectural forms and outdoor infrastructure. For city authorities, the challenge is to balance rapid development with transport accessibility, noise control, security and the comfort of residents living nearby.
The embankment promenades deserve special attention. Walkable waterfronts traditionally become premium locations for restaurants, boutique hotels, high quality public spaces and design-driven retail. Properly planned, they strengthen the city’s visual identity and serve as showcases for national brands and international concepts, including in furniture, lighting, landscape design and urban street furniture.
Why this matters for international furniture and construction businesses
The transformation of Tashkent into a modern, dynamic and experience-rich city makes it increasingly attractive not only for residents of Uzbekistan, but also for foreign tourists. For international companies in furniture, interior and exterior solutions, construction, architecture and design, this creates a concrete window of opportunity. Hundreds of existing and planned venues need contemporary fit-outs, custom furniture, lighting, outdoor seating, façades, navigation systems and decor that meet global standards while reflecting local identity.
Suppliers of contract furniture for hotels, cafes, restaurants and shopping galleries can leverage the growing number of round-the-clock establishments, while construction and design firms can position themselves as partners in creating new streets and embankments. As Tashkent strengthens its role as a regional hub in Central Asia, early entry into this market may help international players secure strong positions in a city that is deliberately reformatting its urban environment in favor of modern, visitor-oriented spaces.
