Uzbekistan-China: cooperation in the leather and footwear industry to expand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A meeting of the Uzcharmsanoat Association with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China and the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) was held via videoconference.

Issues of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the leather and footwear and fur and fur industries, the development of trade, economic, investment and export ties were discussed in detail.

At the beginning of the online dialogue, the Uzcharmsanoat Association made a presentation on the production and investment potential, as well as export performance of the country’s leather, footwear and fur industries. Detailed information was also provided on the conditions created in the country for foreign investors, tax and customs benefits provided by the state. At the meeting, they also spoke about the activities of leather, footwear and fur enterprises operating today in Uzbekistan, the types of products manufactured, the localization program and international cooperation.

It should be noted that CLIA was established in 1998 and today has over 1,300 manufacturing enterprises. The China Leather Industry Association is a national organization that serves the entire Chinese leather industry. CLIA is comprised of fur, leather, footwear, leather goods, and chemical industries, as well as related institutions, research institutes, and colleges. It acts as a link between government and business. At the same time, CLIA is an important national organization involved in a number of processes, such as the definition of industry programs, standardization, expertise and research in the leather sector, support for the organization of leather markets, brand promotion. The organization is also engaged in holding exhibitions, encouraging the development of science and technology, personal education, information support, environmental protection, as well as establishing cooperation with foreign leather and footwear structures and private businesses.

During the online meeting, the parties agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in order to further expand cooperation in this area. Establishing links between Uzcharmsanoat and CLIA will, first of all, expand the interaction between Uzbek and Chinese enterprises, as well as intensify efforts to attract more Chinese investment to Uzbekistan.

During the talks, the parties exchanged views on holding an international conference on the prospects for the development of the industry and deepening cooperation. Large companies, departments and organizations, enterprises, engineers and technologists of Uzbekistan and China will take part in the event. 

At the end of the meeting, it was decided to hold such meetings on a systematic basis in order to continue a constructive dialogue and expand practical contacts, exchange of experience between the delegations of the two countries, as well as organizing mutual business missions in the future.