Uzbek textile exports touch $1 bn

Uzbekistan produces around 1.4 million tonnes of cotton fibre annually, of which about 60 per cent is consumed domestically. In addition, the growth of export indicators was facilitated by the activity of 64 trading houses which were opened in foreign countries,an Uzbek news agency reported quoting statistics from the Association of Textile and Clothing and Textile Industries Enterprises (Uztekstilprom). Experts have already created a draft concept of development for the medium-term perspective of cotton textile clusters, taking into account the experience of such facilities in the Navoi region.

Around 7,000 industrial enterprises operate in the republic at present. The Uzbek textile industry is mainly focused on cotton, silk and wool. Further development of its textile industry is one of the policy priorities of Uzbekistan. The country grows about 3.5 million tonnes of raw cotton and produces 1.1 million tonnes of cotton fibre annually.

The country plans to create 112 modern, high-tech industrial factories, expand, modernise and technologically upgrade 20 operating capacities. All this will increase the export potential of the industry up to $2.5 billion a year and create more than 25,000 jobs.

Light industry enterprises of Uzbekistan exported products worth $1.1 billion to 50 nations in 2017 and the share of value-added products exceeded 40 per cent. The number of exporting enterprises rose from 293 in early 2017 to 350 by the year end. Thirty four investment projects on modernisation of existing and creation of new enterprises with a total export potential of $151.7 million were completed in 2017 in the country’s light industry. Their total value exceeded $356 million.