Uzbekistan looks to lead in leather
Figures reported by Uzbek media recently suggest that the country exported $401 million worth of leathergoods in 2020, an increase of 2.1 times on the year previous.
The local leather industry currently employs around 39,000 individuals and leathergoods made up 0.7% of Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product last year.
Chairman of industry body the Uzcharmsanoat Association, Fakhriddin Boboev, told reporters: “Our nation’s president has set specific tasks and instructions for the development of the leather and footwear industry, so that it becomes one of the leading industries not only in Uzbekistan, but also in Central Asia and, if necessary, the world.
“Together with the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, we have developed a programme for the development and implementation of economic reforms in the leather and footwear industry for 2022-2026. The programme covers the issues of expanding industry cooperation, investment, export and digitalisation.”
Deputy chairman of the same association, Adhamjon Muidinov, added that wider access to foreign markets, especially Europe, was also a priority. Specifically, making full use of the European Union’s GSP+ system of preferences.
Image: Kun.uz
