AKIPRESS.COM - President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a virtual meeting focused on enhancing the tourism potential of Uzbekistan’s regions and expediting investment projects with international partners, according to the presidential press service.

Over the past four years, 385 billion UZS have been allocated from the state budget for the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage sites. Despite this, 485 heritage objects remain in urgent need of repair.

“We shouldn’t rely solely on the state budget — the private sector can and should be more actively involved in these efforts,” the president stated.

Out of more than 2,000 cultural heritage sites eligible for lease, only 325 have been transferred to entrepreneurs, which drew criticism. Officials were instructed to lease out at least 400 sites to private businesses this year.

Although thousands of people visit tourist sites daily, the revenue system lacks transparency due to insufficient digitalization. The president stressed that an open, automated system could allow revenues to be reinvested in site maintenance. As such, entry-exit tracking devices will be installed at all cultural heritage locations.

A key initiative will be the introduction of a “Unified Tourist Card” granting access to all historical monuments across the country. This year, Uzbekistan also aims to attract at least $4 million in grants for the restoration of cultural heritage sites, Kun.uz reported.