Sanoat

Sanoat is the Uzbek term for industry, referring to the part of an economy that converts raw materials into finished goods and provides related services. It includes manufacturing, processing, construction, energy production, and other activities that add value through production. Sanoat is often divided into heavy industry, light industry, and processing sectors, as well as mining and extractive industries and energy generation.

In many economies, sanoat serves as a driver of growth and structural transformation. It supports value-added production, improves export capacity, creates skilled employment, and enables technology transfer. The sector interacts with agriculture, services, and infrastructure development, relying on inputs such as capital, energy, and logistics networks.

In Uzbekistan, sanoat has been a central element of economic policy since independence in 1991. The sector covers textiles and apparel, food and beverage processing, chemicals and petrochemicals, metallurgy, machine-building, and construction materials, along with power generation. Textiles and related processing have long been a leading export industry, while diversification aims to raise productivity and broaden the range of manufactured products.

Policy efforts have focused on modernization of plants and equipment, upgrading energy efficiency, expanding industrial parks and special economic zones, and attracting private investment and foreign partners. Challenges include upgrading aging infrastructure, ensuring reliable energy supply, and improving the business climate to sustain long-term investment.

Sanoat remains a core pillar of Uzbekistan’s economy, with ongoing reforms aimed at increasing value addition, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.