Uzbekistan is preparing a new package of incentives for businesses that develop recreation zones around the country’s reservoirs, aiming to unlock underused tourism assets while attracting investment, creating jobs and expanding visitor flows.
Tax relief to open more reservoirs for tourism
Tourism services are currently available at only five reservoirs, while similar projects could be launched at another 25 sites. To encourage private-sector participation, the authorities plan to halve land and property tax rates until 1 October 2029.
Businesses importing GPS equipment, rescue gear and protective systems for these projects will also be eligible for a 120-day deferral or instalment plan for customs payments. Revenue generated from the sale of land near reservoirs is expected to be channelled into external engineering networks and road infrastructure, helping improve access to future recreation areas.
Safety requirements to shape new projects
The proposed expansion is being paired with stricter safety requirements. Authorities are considering the certification of tourism services, mandatory contracts between operators and professional rescue services, as well as the installation of observation towers and depth markers at reservoirs.
Specialists have also called for wider use of local alert systems, video surveillance, seismological equipment and digital monitoring tools near water facilities. At present, fully operational rescue services are available at only four of the country’s 56 reservoirs. The authorities have been instructed to close this gap.
The planned measures include training rescue divers through a dual education model and providing tourism-site employees with courses in emergency response and first aid. The modernisation programme places the protection of human life at its centre, with the authorities seeking to introduce the “golden minute” principle and reduce rescue arrival times to five to seven minutes in urban areas and 15 to 20 minutes outside major populated centres.
Emergency infrastructure moves towards digitalisation
Among the near-term plans are the modernisation of 25 fire and rescue units in districts and cities with populations above 250,000, the creation of a specialised Madad centre capable of operating in difficult conditions, and the establishment of an air rescue unit and a research centre for emergency management.
The authorities also intend to improve the operation of the unified 112 dispatch service and the processing of public requests, including through broader use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
For international companies in hospitality, construction, architecture, infrastructure, outdoor equipment and interior design, the initiative signals a developing pipeline of reservoir-based projects in Uzbekistan. The combination of tax relief, customs flexibility and planned road and utility upgrades may create entry points for investors and suppliers, although the scale-up will depend on the authorities’ ability to deliver reliable rescue coverage, certified services and safe operating conditions across the targeted sites.
