Forward Group plans to launch production of balls for international football tournaments in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 22 July 2019, within the framework of the visit of Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furkat Sidikov to Sialkot (Punjab province), a meeting was held with the owner of the Forward Group, Khwaja Masoud Akhtar.

The Forward Group produces sports goods, mainly footballs, and was the official and sole supplier of balls for the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2018, as well as the UEFA Champions League. It has plants for the production of various types of sporting goods, such as balls for handball, volleyball, sports bags and others, and also produces modern medical surgical instruments.

During the meeting, Khwaja Masud Akhtar recalled that in 2018, the Uzbek-Pakistan joint venture for the production of branded soccer balls Adidas was established in Andijan region for international football competitions and the CIS market. In general, the company does not carry out investment activities in foreign countries in order to ensure the confidentiality of "know-how", technology, as well as preserve the quality of goods at the highest level.

At the same time, taking into account the economic potential of Uzbekistan, it was decided to implement the first foreign investment project of the Forward Group in our republic. To create a modern enterprise in Uzbekistan that has no analogues in the CIS and Europe, in 2017-2019, large-scale work was carried out on the construction of the Forward-TH Sports plant in Andijan region.

The production potential of the joint venture is up to 3,000 balls per month. The equipment brought to Uzbekistan is the only copy of its kind, which is considered an expensive item of trade secrets and intellectual property.

As noted in the conversation, the full implementation of this project will serve to further strengthen the investment image of Uzbekistan, not only in the eyes of large Pakistani companies, but also in other countries. In particular, the production of balls for world football tournaments “UEFA”, “FIFA” and others under the brand “Made in Uzbekistan” will demonstrate the quality and production potential of our republic.

At the end of the meeting, the Pakistani businessman stressed that in case of successful implementation of the Forward-TH Sports project in Andijan region, his company plans to implement in Uzbekistan new major investment projects in the production of sports bags and clothing for world football clubs.