Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan’s leather and footwear industry continues to intensify its efforts to enter the European market, taking concrete steps toward integration into global production and trade chains.

A major step in this direction was the recent business mission of the Uzcharmsanoat Association to Italy. The delegation included representatives of leading Uzbek enterprises in the sector, along with specialists from Halk Bank.

The visit took place in Milan — a global hub of fashion and leather design — where the Uzbek delegation held meetings with Italy’s top industry associations in the fields of leather production, footwear manufacturing, and specialized equipment.

The Uzbek side presented the country’s investment and manufacturing potential, expressing readiness for international cooperation and compliance with high industry standards.

During the events, Chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association Shukhrat Atabayev emphasized that for Uzbekistan, Italy is not only a key export market but also a strategic source of advanced technologies, design expertise, and professional know-how.

He provided a detailed overview of the development of Uzbekistan’s leather sector, its attractive tax and customs policies, rising living standards, and openness to technological partnerships.

Special focus was placed on cooperation with Italy’s national leather association UNIC. Discussions covered the potential export of Uzbek leather in wet blue and crust formats, laboratory certification, participation in the international Lineapelle exhibition, and the creation of a joint processing enterprise. Both sides expressed interest in establishing direct supply and purchase links.

Meetings with Assopellettieri and Assocalzaturifici — associations uniting producers of leather accessories and footwear — centered on launching joint production in Uzbekistan under Italian brands, participation in the prestigious MICAM exhibition under the national brand “Made in Uzbekistan,” and the transfer of marketing, design, and technological expertise. Talks also addressed compliance of Uzbek products with EU standards and access to the European market.

A separate meeting with ASSOMAC — Italy’s association of manufacturers of equipment for the leather and footwear industry — explored opportunities for supplying advanced technologies, establishing joint production lines, and organizing professional training for Uzbek specialists. The Italian side expressed strong interest in developing specific cooperation projects.

The business mission to Milan marked another milestone in Uzbekistan’s efforts to expand its export footprint, strengthen the technological capacity of its leather and footwear industry, and solidify its position in one of Europe’s most competitive markets.