Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An online business forum "Made in Uzbekistan Textile" with the participation of leading textile companies of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijani enterprises and retailers interested in Uzbek products has opened today, Dunyo news agency reported.

The event was organized by the Export Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Association of Textile and Garment and Knitting Industry of Uzbekistan "Uztekstilprom" together with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan and Caspian Event Organizers.

The main goal of the forum is to create opportunities for manufacturers of export-oriented textile products to find a new distributor, expand a partner network, and create joint ventures with Azerbaijani companies.

This forum is the second in a row. The previous one, which took place on June 9-12 of this year, was attended by representatives of agriculture, automotive, mining, food, light and electrical industries (more than 50 companies in total). More than 100 bilateral negotiations were held.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Nematov made an opening speech at the forum.

He noted that holding such events is becoming a good tradition in relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, making its worthy contribution to the further development of mutually beneficial partnerships between our countries.

“I am sure that this forum will successfully cope with the task set before it to create opportunities for Uzbek manufacturers of export-oriented textile products to find a new distributor, expand a partner network, and organize joint ventures with Azerbaijani companies,” Ilkhom Nematov said.

He stressed that 30 Uzbek manufacturers of export-oriented textile products will be given a unique opportunity to establish contacts with buyers, distributors, specialists of garment enterprises, ateliers, representatives of retail trade networks, as well as potential investors from Azerbaijan.

At the forum, the floor was also given to the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov. Greeting the participants, he noted that "today, more than ever, the dialogue of entrepreneurs, both in the domestic and foreign markets, is important in order to minimize losses from the pandemic for small and medium-sized businesses, which make up a significant part of the economies of both countries."

- As you know, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have adopted and are implementing packages of measures to support the affected sectors of the economy. I hope that today’s event will also be useful in terms of forming partnerships within the business community in jointly overcoming the crisis and related economic problems. The exchange of practical experience will help in adapting business to new realities, the diplomat concluded.

As already reported, at the business forum, its participants at the plenary session will discuss the prospects for a business dialogue in the textile sector between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. On August 26-27, intensive bilateral meetings in the B2B format will take place.