Tashkent, (TDI): Uzbekistan is poised to triple its global textile and apparel exports to $6.5 billion by 2026, as revealed at the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) Annual Conference and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) World Fashion Convention held in Samarkand this week.
Key stakeholders, including leading Uzbek textile producers, international investors, and representatives from public organizations and regulatory bodies, gathered to explore the country’s potential in the global textile market.
Discussions focused on the steps required to secure Uzbekistan’s position as a major player in the global textile and apparel sector.
In recent years, Uzbekistan’s textile industry has undergone significant reforms and modernization, aligning with international regulations and adopting the highest quality standards.
The introduction of cotton-textile clusters in 2017, progressive labor regulations, and the lifting of the international cotton boycott in 2022 have transformed the industry.
Uzbekistan is now a part of the Better Cotton Initiative and the Better Work programme, reflecting its commitment to sustainable and ethical production practices.
Strong Government Support
Strong government support continues to attract foreign investment.
South Korean company Youngone Corp, for example, currently operates two factories in Uzbekistan and plans to expand further, bringing in $55 million in investments and creating over 5,000 new jobs.
The country’s Prime Minister has emphasized Uzbekistan’s openness to new investments in the sector.
Between January and July 2024, Uzbekistan exported over $1.7 billion worth of textile products to 85 countries across all continents.
The goal is to triple this export volume to $6.5 billion by 2026, demonstrating Uzbekistan’s ambition to expand its footprint in global markets.
International observers are taking note.
According to Karim Shafei, an international partner at Gherzi Textil Organisation, Uzbekistan has the potential to become a game changer in the global textile industry and value chain.
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Mirmukhsin Sultanov, the acting chairman of Uztextileprom, highlighted Uzbekistan’s rich history in the textile sector, dating back to the ancient Silk Road when the country was a central hub for textile trade and craftsmanship.
“Today, we continue that tradition through reform and modernization, embracing technology, innovation, and sustainability,” said Sultanov.
“The textile industry is a major driver of our national economy.”
Sultanov also expressed confidence in Uzbekistan’s future growth.
