On 9 October, a meeting was held at the DMO Karakalpakstan office in Nukus with Dr. Sebastian Elbe, a regional development expert and A. Matkarimov, an ADB consultant, who are involved in developing the socio-economic development strategy for Karakalpakstan with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The DMO team presented six strategic proposals for developing tourism infrastructure along the international A-380 highway, improving navigation, promoting local gastronomy, and involving rural communities in the tourism economy.

The organization’s practical experience was also presented, including the QR Gastronomic Quality project supported by the Public Fund under the Oliy Majlis, the Tourism Ambassadors programme supported by the European Union, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the Yuksalish Movement, as well as initiatives in cooperation with GIZ, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the project on restoring degraded land in Arbashy with the support of the GEF and UNOPS.

The meeting provided an opportunity to present DMO’s ongoing initiatives and discuss prospects for integrating Karakalpakstan’s tourism potential into the region’s long-term development strategy.

DMO Karakalpakstan views the A-380 corridor not only as a transport route but also as an opportunity to develop tourism, support local businesses, and create new economic opportunities for the population.