Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The management of the Uzcharmsanoat Association and relevant industry enterprises conducted online negotiations with the heads of Italian companies Antonio Couture, AQ International & Tiber and the European Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CEPI). The meeting was organized by the Embassy of our country in Italy, Dunyo reports.

From the Uzbek side, the event was attended by representatives of such domestic companies as Orient Technology, Hamkor Nur Savdo, Angren Сharm, Premium Leater, Kattaqurgon Charm. The Italian side was represented at the talks by Antonio Couture CEO Antonio di Stefano, AQ International & Tiber chairman Salvatore Caccio and CEPI vice president Valdimiro Razza.

The parties discussed expanding the volume and range of domestic products exported to Italy, as well as organizing joint production of leather goods in Uzbekistan, including those with high added value.

Chairman of Uzcharmsanoat Fakhriddin Babayev informed the negotiating partners about the development of the leather industry in Uzbekistan, its support by the state, priorities, including the introduction of modern technologies in the production and processing of leather, the development of the value chain.

He said that in order to improve product quality throughout the republic 70 automated refreshment systems have been introduced and in the coming years it is planned to completely switch to modern methods of leather production.

In turn, A.di Stefano said that he sees the great potential of Uzbekistan in this area and expressed interest in developing cooperation. He confirmed his readiness to create a joint production for the processing of raw leather and the production of products from it, including under the world-famous Italian brands.

CEPI Vice-President V. Rutsta supported the parties ’desire for cooperation and announced the readiness of his association to attract other Italian and European companies to cooperate with Uzbekistan in the leather and other fields.

Kaccola noted the great economic potential of Uzbekistan and the prospects for cooperation. He welcomed the republic’s economic progress in recent years, which, in his opinion, is the real result of large-scale reforms being carried out in the country.

Representatives of the tanneries of Uzbekistan supported the initiatives of Italian investors and confirmed their readiness for close partnership.