SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The volume of Domestic Regional Product (DRP) of Ferghana region amounted 2 223.5 billion soums (1 764.7 million US dollars) in year 2007. Growth rate comprised 107.9% as compared to the same period of last year. DRP per capita amounted to 751.9 thousand soums (600 US dollars excluding purchasing power parity).
In 2007, industrial product output reached 1 850.7 billion soums (1470 million US dollars). According to results of 2007, foreign trade turnover of the region amounted to 775.8 million US dollars including 479.8 million US dollars of exports.
Formation of market infrastructure is under process in the region. There are approximately 42 thousand organizations, enterprises and other economic entities conducting economic activity.
POPULATION
As of January 1, 2008, the region’s population amounts to 2 969.9 thousand men of which 72% reside in rural areas and 28% reside in cities. Representatives of more than 60 nations and nationalities live in the region. Population density reaches 425 men per 1 sq. km.
As of January 1, 2008, quantity of labor resources comprised 1 622.8 thousand men of which 1 241.3 thousand men are employed in the economy including more than 165 thousand men in industry sector and 380 thousand men in agriculture.
There are 3 higher educational institutions, 9 academic lyceums, 108 vocational educational institutions and more than 900 general educational schools in the region.
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM
In the region, there function 73 branches of commercial banks, 185 branches of mini-banks, 71 specialized cash offices, 8 credit unions and 3 micro credit organizations.
In year 2007, commercial banks extended loans in amount of 232.1 billion soums (184.2 million US dollars) which is 50% more than in year 2006.
EXTERNAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
External trade turnover of the region in 2007 amounted to 775.8 million US dollars including 479.8 million US dollars of exports and 295.9 million US dollars of imports.
Export structure is dominated with 39.9% of energy resources, 10% of chemical products, 10% of foodstuff products and 19.8% of cotton fiber. There is observed a stable tendency of growth in exports of finished products.
In total, there were exported more than 50 product articles to 57 countries worldwide including the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Chine, Latvia and Iran. Largest enterprises have accomplished 84% of total export volume, small business and private entrepreneurship entities have made 10.2% and private entrepreneurs have accomplished 5.7% of exports.
Main imported product is machinery and equipment, chemical products, nonferrous and ferrous metals, foodstuff products. Import is made from 50 countries worldwide including such countries as Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, China, Republic of Korea and Ukraine.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES
There 1 600 libraries, 176 clubs, 12 museums, 4 theaters, 9 recreational and entertainment parks in the region. Significant attention is paid to development of sport and physical culture in the region: there have been built 46 stadiums, 27 swimming pools and 104 tennis courts.
Ferghana region attracts people from countries worldwide with its picturesque nature, hospitality, rich national traditions and historical places of interest. Following should be noted among them: architectural complex “Djami” (mosque and madrasah), museum-house of Mukimiy in Kokand city, burial vault of Al-Roshidoniy in Rishtan district, natural history museum in Ferghana city, architectural complex named after Burkhoniddin Al-Margilaniy. 
Shakhimardan is another beautiful and unique place in Uzbekistan located at altitude of 1 500 m above sea level between two mountain rivers Oksuv and Koksuv.
In the region, there have been built hotels meeting requirements and standards of 4-star hotels such as: «Asia-Ferghana», «Hotel-777», «Ziyorat», «Vostok».