On March 31 of this year, a delegation led by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Uzbekistan, Walid Fouque, visited the “Soy Buyi” mahalla in the city of Fergana. During the visit, the activities of the “Status Soft” family enterprise were studied in detail. The diplomats were particularly impressed by the efforts of the team, led by Feruza Siddikova, in implementing innovative technologies and establishing a high-tech fish farming complex.
International cooperation and financial support — the foundation of the project
The successful launch of this project, which received high praise from the French side, was made possible through a strategic partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD). In accordance with Presidential Decree No. PP-84 and the “Livestock Sector Sustainable Development Financing” project, JSCB “Microcreditbank” provided the enterprise with a concessional loan amounting to 1.05 billion UZS.
These funds enabled full modernization of the facility, including the purchase of advanced intensive fish farming equipment and the installation of modern refrigeration systems to ensure premium product quality.
High efficiency on small plots
An illustrative example of the advantages of the intensive method were the enterprise’s production indicators. Currently, in artificial ponds covering an area of just 200 square meters, 5,000 trout are being raised. According to the entrepreneur, the first harvest will be gathered in September, and the expected revenue from market sales will amount to about 450 million soms. Notably, this compact operation not only generates family income but also provides permanent employment for two local residents.
Development prospects: tenfold scaling
During the familiarization with the facility’s capacities, strategic plans for the future were discussed. Not resting on laurels, the management of Status Soft aims to significantly increase production volumes. The next development stage envisions expanding the fish-farming plots from the current 200 square meters to 2,000 square meters. To realize this ambitious objective, it is being explored to attract additional grants and credit lines from the French Development Agency and the European Union.
Results of the visit: a new stage of strategic partnership
This visit confirms that economic ties between Uzbekistan and France are entering a new level, encompassing not only large industrial facilities but also the SME sector. As demonstrated by the Status Soft experience, an effective combination of innovative approaches and international financial support has transformed the family enterprise into a model flagship of modern fish farming in the Ferghana region. Such dialogue contributes to strengthening friendly relations between the two countries through practical projects and the creation of high-tech jobs in the regions.
