Dear conference participants!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
First of all, I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of today's prestigious event – the joint conference of the International Federation of Textile Manufacturers and the International Federation of Apparel and Clothing.
I would like to express my special gratitude to Mr. Key Vi Srinivasan, President of the International Federation of Textile Manufacturers, and Mr. Chem Altan, President of the International Federation of Apparel and Clothing, for holding this joint conference in Uzbekistan for the first time.
I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed representatives of the industry, the leaders of prestigious international and regional organizations participating in this conference.
Welcome to the magnificent city of Samarkand, the gem of the ancient great Silk Road and the homeland of master craftsmen!
Dear conference participants!
In recent years, we have taken decisive steps to fundamentally improve the investment and business environment in our country, creating comprehensive favorable conditions for both foreign and local investors.
Like in every sector, we are implementing extensive reforms in the textile and apparel industry as well.
Firstly, the state monopoly on cotton production was abolished, a cluster system encompassing the entire process from raw material to finished product was established and is being progressively enhanced.
Our reforms in the sector have been recognized by prestigious international organizations, and the "cotton boycott" against Uzbekistan was lifted. In this regard, our cooperation with the "Cotton Campaign" international coalition continues.
As a result of creating a sustainable legislative base, improving the investment environment, and introducing new technologies, cotton processing increased from 40% in 2017 to 100%. At present, we have started importing fiber and raw materials from abroad, producing high value-added finished products.
Thanks to the opportunities created in the sector, the production volume of textile products has increased fivefold, and their export has increased fourfold.
Most importantly, if previously 70% of exports in the sector accounted for raw materials, today, 60% of the goods sold abroad consist of finished products.
From the very beginning of our reforms, we prioritized the development of human capital, training the population, especially the youth and women, in professions, and preparing qualified personnel for all sectors, and these matters will continue to be at the center of our attention.
Decent working conditions that meet international standards are being created for workers in enterprises, and the "Better Work" and "Better Cotton" programs are being systematically implemented.
Particular attention is paid to protecting the labor rights of over 600,000 people employed in the sector and to supporting them in every possible way.
Furthermore, decisive measures are being taken to create national brands in the textile sector and to attract prestigious international and foreign brands to our country.
In our country, world market's prestigious participants like Germany’s "Timdres," Italy’s "Cotonella," Singapore’s "Indorama," Korea’s "Posco International" and "Yan-Wan" companies are conducting effective operations.
Uzbekistan's textile industry is actively integrating into global production processes, gaining reliable partners across all continents.
It should be noted that long-term collaboration with foreign investors and international brands, increasing the production of high value-added products, and bringing national brands to the international level will continue to be our priority directions in the textile industry.
I am confident that today's conference will serve as an effective platform for further enhancing and strengthening mutual cooperation in this field at the international level and for exchanging advanced experiences and ideas.
I hope this will further expand mutually beneficial collaboration among more than 500 national and international organizations, manufacturers, and "retail" companies participating in the conference, and contribute to bringing the development of the sector to a new quality level.
We highly value and support all mutually beneficial initiatives of our foreign partners, including facilitating the entry of international brands into Uzbekistan by implementing the necessary standards.
We are ready to provide all necessary conditions for prestigious international organizations to regularly conduct conferences, exhibitions, fashion shows in our country, especially in cities with high tourism and industrial potential like Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz, Margilan, Kokand, Namangan, Andijan.
I am sure that meetings with our country's ancient history, rich cultural heritage, hardworking, and noble people will leave unforgettable impressions on you, and the vast socio-economic potential of our regions will encourage investors to embark on new projects.
I once again congratulate you on the opening of this grand conference, wishing all of you strong health, happiness, and success in the work of the conference.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
