Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 April 2022, the Uzbek-Chinese textile forum was held in the format of a videoconference, bringing together not only state organizations, but also private textile enterprises of Uzbekistan and China.

Also at the forum was the Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Farhod Arziev, who assisted in organizing this important meeting.

It is well known that the Great Silk Road, which connected the Celestial Empire with our region, contributed to mutual cooperation not only in trade and cultural relations, but also in other areas too. In particular, China is one of the largest importers of Uzbek textile products, whose exports in January-March 2022 alone amounted to US$119.7 million. At the end of 2021, it amounted to US$597 million.

Regarding investment projects, with the participation of Chinese investments, 33 textile enterprises operate in Uzbekistan, including such large ones as LT Textile International in Kashkadarya region, Nanyang M&F and Shanghai Marjan in Andijan region. Over the past 4 years, within the framework of 12 investment projects, more than US$500 million of direct Chinese investments have been disbursed, more than 6 thousand workers have been created. places.

China also provides financial and technical assistance: an example is AVIC International (PRC), which is implementing a project to "Create an educational, scientific center for the training and retraining of personnel in the textile sector."

And, of course, in the light of such an important event for Uzbekistan, such as the abolition of the "cotton boycott", I would like to express confidence that mutually beneficial cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Uzbekistan will be strengthened and open up new opportunities and directions in the textile industry of both countries.

Speaking about the Uzbek-Chinese cooperation, Ambassador F. Arziev emphasized that this year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and China. Cooperation between our countries has a solid foundation. Today it is developing with new dynamics and new pace.

Thanks to personal and trusting relations between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, the interaction of our countries has acquired the character of a comprehensive strategic partnership based on the principles of friendship, high trust, mutual consideration of interests and mutual support.

Over the years, mutual trade between the two countries has increased 140 times, reaching about US$8 billion by the end of 2021. The volume of Chinese direct investment in the Uzbek economy amounted to more than US$9 billion.

The Chairman of the Association "Uztekstilprom" Ilkhom Khaydarov presented to the attention of the participants a presentation of the textile industry of Uzbekistan. The chairman noted that the Uzbek-Chinese forum contributes to the expansion of cooperation between countries in the textile industry. It was noted that 33 textile enterprises operate in Uzbekistan with the participation of Chinese investments, including such large ones as LT Textile International in Kashkadarya region, Nanyang M&F and Shanghai Marjan in Andijan region. Over the past 4 years, within the framework of 12 investment projects, more than US$500 million of direct Chinese investments have been disbursed, more than 6 thousand jobs have been created.

Also, it was noted that in connection with the recent important events in the textile industry of Uzbekistan, the abolition of the boycott will serve to develop bilateral cooperation.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce for the Export and Import of Textiles of the PRC, Mr. Cao, highly appreciated the reforms in Uzbekistan and noted that the PRC considers Uzbekistan one of the important partners in the textile industry, which is confirmed by the growth of trade, in particular, it increased by 10% in 2021.

Participants and speakers spoke about the successful experience of cooperation with textile companies of the two countries. As a result of the forum, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Uztekstilprom Association and the Chamber of Commerce for the export and import of textiles of China.