These funds will facilitate the implementation of 82 major projects. This will help create 25,000 new jobs. The goal is to increase textile product exports to 4 billion dollars and leather products to 250 million dollars. This was stated today during a meeting with the president.
It was noted that these industries play a crucial role in ensuring employment and boosting exports. They employ 430,000 people. The share of the light industry in the total production volume is 14%, while in exports, it stands at 16%.
However, in the current challenging times, the situation in external markets is rapidly changing. This has led to a decrease in export prices for yarn, fabrics, and finished products. Additionally, there is a decline in demand for finished products in export markets. The meeting discussed measures to adapt to these conditions and fully mobilize internal resources.
Amid the decline in cotton fiber prices in the global market, it is necessary to enhance deep processing of fiber and yarn. Additional support measures for enterprises engaged in fabric production and dyeing have been planned. Responsible officials have been tasked with increasing the yarn processing level to 70%.
Furthermore, it was instructed to extend the practice of abolishing the 10% export duty on sheep and goat skins next year. This year, this practice allowed for the signing of export contracts worth 3 million dollars.
The acute shortage of personnel in the leather industry—cutters, seamstresses, and masters—will be addressed through the implementation of dual training. Leading enterprises in the Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Samarkand, and Tashkent regions plan to collaborate with local technical schools.
It is worth noting that specialists from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies (IMRS) evaluated the export situation for textile products over the past eight years. They found that Uzbekistan has significantly increased its shipments of finished products, with the main flow of exports directed towards Russia.