Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Embassy of Uzbekistan in China and the Uzcharmsanoat Association are working to ensure the fulfillment of the tasks set by the resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which have consolidated the dynamic development of the leather and footwear industry over the past 4 years and increased the export potential of our country.

In particular, online meetings are held on an ongoing basis between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People’s Republic of China F.N. Arziev and the Chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association F.A. Boboev. 

The topics and results of the meetings are the further development of trade, the deepening of economic and investment cooperation in the leather and footwear industry, as well as the coordination of plans to increase cooperation in the long term.

During the online meetings, special attention is paid to the development of roadmaps to attract Chinese investors. The goal is to expand the implementation of investment projects in small industrial and free economic zones of the country.

To date, 9 investment projects worth US$35 million have been implemented in Uzbekistan with the participation of Chinese investments, of which US$23.5 million is direct investment. We are talking about the production of finished leather, casual and sports shoes.

In 2022-2023, jointly with China, it is planned to implement projects totaling US$32.6 million. As a result, new production facilities will be launched for the production of artificial and finished leather, shoe soles, molds and cardboard, men’s and women’s shoes.

As for the direct supply of domestic products, over 30 enterprises of the leather and footwear and fur and fur industries of our country exported goods worth US$61 million to the People’s Republic of China in 2021. In January-May of this year, the figure amounted to US$24.1 million.

To date, the Uzcharmsanoat Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People’s Republic of China have identified a number of activities to further expand the range of cooperation. Among them:

1. Organization of the national stand of the leather and footwear industry of Uzbekistan with an area of 72 sq.m. at the 26th International Exhibition of Leather, Footwear and Shoe Materials, which will be held on 13-15 August 2022. A stand design is being developed in the national traditions of Uzbekistan, a list of participating companies will also be compiled and presentation materials prepared.

2. Establishment of cooperation between the Uzcharmsanoat Association and the China Leather Industry Association.

3. Careful preparation for the forthcoming work of the Intergovernmental Commissions of Uzbekistan and the People’s Republic of China.

4. Conducting video conferences on a monthly basis on the issue of cooperation in the leather and footwear industry in order to timely and effectively implement the planned activities.

In order to develop cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the leather and footwear industry, to further increase foreign trade turnover, decisions were made to develop and introduce new tools and mechanisms for interaction. This, in turn, will serve to further stimulate industrial and trade and economic ties between our countries.