The meeting discussed the further development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey in this area, the implementation of joint investment projects, and issues of increasing exports and imports.

Representatives of the Uzcharmsanoat Association presented to Turkish enterprises the opportunities provided by the state and the government of Uzbekistan in support of the leather and footwear industry, its production, investment and export potential. Information was also provided on new investment projects prepared by the Association.

Following the results of the forum, a trilateral memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Uzcharmsanoat Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Konya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

B2B meetings with the participation of enterprises of the two countries were also held within the framework of the forum. Our domestic entrepreneurs discussed further prospects for cooperation with Turkish companies in their areas. In particular, the Turkish company Emrah Baran has expressed an initiative to implement a new investment project in Uzbekistan. In this regard, representatives of the company will visit our country in March to familiarize themselves on the spot with the business conditions and establish cooperation.

Uzbek enterprises also held talks with companies such as Hasan Uzman, Wanetti, Voyager and Dikbaş Ayakkabiçilik on various areas of cooperation. The heads of these companies expressed interest in visiting Uzbekistan and exploring the potential for cooperation.

A delegation of our businessmen also visited Konya shoemakers' town and got acquainted with the activities of a number of enterprises in the industrial zone. In particular, she visited the center for the production of shoe soles and studied the processes of manufacturing and modeling shoe soles.

Here, the delegation of Uzbekistan got acquainted with the education system in the leather and shoe industry of Konya. The delegates studied the experience of the partners and held negotiations. It is planned to use the capabilities of this center in the training of leading designers, designers, engineers, technologists and other qualified specialists for enterprises of the leather and shoe industry of Uzbekistan. That is, first of all, experienced craftsmen will be sent from Uzbekistan to study modern shoe manufacturing technologies in the Konya industrial zone, and after that they will share their experience with other employees of their enterprises.

The meetings in the industrial zone have created the basis for expanding bilateral cooperation. In particular, the Uzbek company KFK has reached a preliminary agreement on the implementation of a new investment project jointly with the Turkish Nevzat Taba. This project provides for the launch of the production of shoe soles. The conditions created for foreign investors in our country, the raw material base, and the presence of a large sales market aroused great interest among the Turkish businessman. In February of this year, the Turkish company decided to come to Uzbekistan and sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Andijan enterprise.

The members of the delegation exchanged their work experience in showrooms and shoe brand productions located in Konya. They got acquainted with new trends and technologies in the field. During the talks, issues of expanding mutual trade and economic ties were discussed.

For reference: Konya is the second largest manufacturer of leather and footwear products in Turkey. There are more than 500 enterprises operating in this region. 50 million pairs of shoes are produced here every year. The products are exported to more than 100 countries around the world.