According to the Embassy of Uzbekistan, at the beginning of the conversation, the American side was informed about the reforms implemented in Uzbekistan in the field of introducing a new cluster approach to cotton cultivation and processing, the eradication of child and forced labor in the collection and cultivation of cotton, systematic state support for textile industry enterprises, as well as new opportunities created after the lifting of the global boycott of Uzbek cotton The Cotton Campaign International Coalition.
The head of AAFA, Steve Lamar, stressed that Uzbekistan has made incredible progress in a short period, becoming a promising market for foreign enterprises and investments. Now the country can demonstrate leadership in the implementation of a business model based on fair procurement practices that ensure decent work at all levels of the supply chain, he noted.
According to Steve Lamar, at the moment the US textile industry is rapidly moving to new standards of environmental protection, social policy and corporate governance (ESG). "Now the industry imposes much greater requirements on compliance with labor standards and social standards to any potential suppliers," the head of the AAFA noted.
At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached on coordinating efforts to attract leading retailers and brands from among AAFA members to the work of the upcoming international textile forum in Tashkent, the Dune news agency reports.
For reference: The American Clothing and Footwear Association was established in 2000 as a result of the merger of the American Association of Clothing Manufacturers and Manufacturers (AAMA) and the Footwear Industries of America (FIA) company. The company's mission is to help create an environment in which the U.S. apparel industry can operate competitively and profitably in a global economy. AAFA represents more than 1000 world-famous brands of the clothing and footwear industry, including Versace, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, The Walt Disney Company, LACOSTE, Levi Strauss & Co., DKNY, Gap, Inc., Calvin Klein, Inc.", "Forever 21", "ECCO", "The North Face", "Tommy Hilfiger USA, Inc." and others. Their annual sales in the United States alone amount to over $ 350 billion.
