A "Nurbuloq" sanatorium-resort town is planned to be established in Samarkand.
A draft presidential decision has been prepared with the aim of developing medical and health tourism.
A draft presidential decision on establishing the "Nurbuloq" sanatorium-resort town has been prepared with the aim of developing medical and health tourism by utilizing the natural and recreational potential of Samarkand region.
According to the draft, it is proposed to establish the "Nurbuloq" sanatorium-resort town of regional subordination on a 470-hectare land area in the Nurobod district of Samarkand region. It is envisaged that within one month the town will be granted the status of a town of regional subordination and appropriate administrative-territorial changes will be made. The main natural wealth of the town is its healing thermal (radon) water sources.
Key target indicators
The draft defines a number of target indicators for the development of the town:
- establishing the operation of sanatorium-resort facilities that meet international standards through the effective use of thermal water resources;
- transforming Nurbuloq into a continuously operating sanatorium-resort town;
- increasing the number of sanatorium-resort facilities to 50 and the number of beds in them to 7,400;
- doubling the number of local and foreign tourists in the medical and health tourism sector and increasing the export of services in this direction by 2.3 times;
- increasing the average length of stay of tourists from 5 to 8 days;
- introducing a system for training and advanced training of personnel for the sector;
- establishing Nurbuloq as a competitive brand at the national and international level.
Benefits for investors
A number of benefits and preferences are envisaged for entrepreneurs implementing investment projects in the town. Land plots designated for tourist infrastructure will be sold through electronic online auctions in accordance with the master plan, subject to investment obligations.
Until January 1, 2035, entrepreneurs establishing international SPA and sanatorium-resort facilities will be fully exempt from customs duties on equipment, technology and raw materials imported into the republic, and from 50 percent of land tax. In addition, starting from October 1, 2026, when medical institutions provide services to foreign citizens through tour operators, 50 percent of the paid value added tax is envisaged to be refunded in the form of cashback.
It is envisaged that loans for financing investment projects will be allocated from the funds of the Reconstruction and Development Fund, through commercial banks, at interest rates not exceeding the Central Bank base rate. They will be directed to the construction and equipping of facilities specializing in radon water treatment and hotels.
Financing and master plan
The road-transport and engineering-communication infrastructure of the town will be financed from the funds of the existing decision on the development of Samarkand region and other sources not prohibited by law. The regional administration will develop the town's master plan within six months; its design and expert examination costs will be covered from the funds of the "Fund for the Development of Tourist Infrastructure in Mountainous and Remote Areas" and subsequently compensated with funds from the sale of land plots.
The proposed measures will serve to bring Nurbuloq's unique natural potential into economic circulation, form a new center for medical and health tourism in the region, increase the flow of foreign tourists, and create sustainable jobs in the area.
"Avicenna" national brand
Within the framework of the draft decision, the national brand "Avicenna" for medical and health tourism will be approved, and a separate program of measures for its development and international promotion will be defined.
According to the program, a unified digital platform "Avicenna" will be created in Uzbek, English, Russian, Chinese and Arabic languages, integrating medical institutions, sanatorium-resort organizations, international certificates, tourist attractions, a map and online application functions. Institutions included in the platform will undergo verification based on relevant criteria, and a unified electronic register will be formed.
To promote the brand in international markets, participation in international tourism and medical exhibitions with a unified national stand of "Avicenna", holding presentations (roadshows) and B2B meetings in priority countries, and organizing advertising campaigns in foreign media and digital platforms are envisaged.
In addition, free consultation, diagnostics and screening campaigns under the "Avicenna" brand will be held in neighboring and priority foreign countries with the participation of leading medical institutions, and a mechanism will be established to refer citizens in need of treatment to medical institutions of Uzbekistan.
