In particular, online meetings are held on an ongoing basis between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the People's Republic of China F.N. Arziev and the Chairman of the Association "Uzcharmsanoat" F.A. Boboev. The topics and results of the meetings are the further development of trade, the deepening of economic and investment cooperation in the leather and shoe industry, as well as the coordination of plans to increase cooperation in the long term.
During the online meetings, special attention is paid to the development of roadmaps to attract Chinese investors. The goal is to expand the implementation of investment projects in small industrial and free economic zones of the country.
To date, nine investment projects worth $ 35 million have been implemented in Uzbekistan with the participation of Chinese investments, of which $ 23.5 million are direct investments. We are talking about the production of ready-made leather, casual and sports shoes.
In 2022-2023, projects totaling $32.6 million are planned to be implemented jointly with China. As a result, new production facilities will be launched for the production of artificial and finished leather, shoe soles, molds and cardboard, men's and women's shoes.
As for the direct supply of domestic products, more than 30 enterprises of the leather and shoe and fur industry of our country exported $ 61 million worth of goods to the People's Republic of China in 2021. In January-May of this year, the figure amounted to $ 24.1 million.
To date, the Uzcharmsanoat Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the People's Republic of China have identified a number of measures to further expand the range of cooperation. Among them:
organization of the national stand of the leather and footwear industry of Uzbekistan with an area of 72 sq. m. m at the 26th International Exhibition of Leather, Footwear and Shoe Materials, which will be held on August 13-15, 2022. The design of the stand is being developed in the national traditions of Uzbekistan, a list of participating companies will also be compiled and presentation materials will be prepared;
establishment of cooperation between the Association "Uzcharmsanoat" and the Association of the Leather Industry of China;
thorough preparation for the upcoming work of the Intergovernmental Commissions of Uzbekistan and the People's Republic of China;
conducting video conferences on a monthly basis on the issue of cooperation in the leather and footwear industry in order to timely and effectively implement the planned activities.
In order to develop cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the leather and footwear industry, further increase foreign trade turnover, decisions were made to develop and implement new tools and mechanisms of interaction. This, in turn, will serve to further stimulate industrial and trade and economic ties between our countries.
