The economy is based on agriculture especially cotton and cereal. There are thousands of hectares of virgin soil which have been researched for agricultural purposes. These fields have a suitable irrigation infrastructure, pumping stations and other irrigation facilities were installed in the last few years. Besides cotton and cereals, this area yields forage plants, vegetables, melons, gourds, potatoes, maize, a variety of fruit and grapes. Cattle breeding has developed very successfully in this region. Plans to improve cotton-processing, to double agricultural production, to establish factories for the production of spirits and vodka, jam, tomato juice and ketchup are being implemented. Part of the production will be exported. Industry consists of construction materials, irrigation equipment and raw-cotton processing. One of Uzbekistan's largest hydroelectric power plants - the Syrdarya Hydroelectric Power Plant, generating one third of the country's electrical power is situated in this region. The primary goal for industrial development is production for export. There are plans to develop and produce steel wire and hybrid products. The programme for the industrial development of the Province until the year 2000 will require foreign investments worth US $21,5 million. The railroads in this area are 400 km long and tarred roads 2 000 km.