Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Within the framework of the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM. Central Asia, business dialogues were held. In particular, the Uzcharmsanoat Association was visited by a delegation of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan, headed by the head of the light industry department, Malika Yarbabaeva. The theme of the meeting was establishing contacts in the leather and footwear industry. 

Tajikistan is interested in the experience of Uzbekistan in the leather and footwear industry, how the chain of work is built here. As Ms. Yarbabaeva noted, there are only a few enterprises in the leather and footwear industry in Tajikistan. Semi-finished leather products (wet blue) are produced and exported, while the production of finished products lags far behind. While the demand for products is high and is satisfied mainly through imports.

In the context of building up bilateral cooperation, the meeting focused on real projects for the purchase of children’s and teenage shoes on outsourcing terms, as well as the involvement of specialists to establish the production of leather and shoes in Tajikistan itself. Mutual interest was aroused by the project for the supply of finished leather from Uzbekistan for a shoe factory under construction.

Entrepreneurs of the two countries also took part in the dialogue. During the meeting in the negotiation hall and in the showroom of the Association, the products of our domestic manufacturers were demonstrated. Business books were replenished with new contacts.

As the borders opened, the guests noted, products under the brand name "Made in Uzbekistan" shifted all major suppliers of goods in Tajikistan to the background. About 80% of light industry products in the markets of the neighboring republic today fall on the share of our country. In this regard, Uzbekistan pleases Tajik buyers with both pricing and quality. As for shoes, they plan to increase their supplies only.