BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 5
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Exports of textiles and clothing will increase in Uzbekistan in 2021 by almost 50 percent to $2.8 billion compared to 2020, Trend reports referring to the article published by the Central Asia Expert of Germany Trade & Invest, economic development agency, Uwe Strohbach on the agency's website.
Listing the factors due to which the textile and clothing industry of Uzbekistan is on the rise, Strohbach noting that the growing overseas demand is giving rise to many new modernization and expansion projects. “The recently expanded EU tariff preferences support this trend,” he said.
According to the expert, the prerequisites for Uzbekistan to become the center of the textile and clothing industry in the world market are favorable. In addition to low production costs, many motivated workers, and many years of production experience, the country has the necessary raw materials. Up to 1.1 million tons of cotton fiber and 20,000 tons of cocoons are available annually (22,500 tons planned for 2021).
Also, the data shows that in 2019-2020 alone, 82 clusters were created in the country, in which the entire range of work, including growing, harvesting, and processing cotton - is carried out in one place.
Cotton yarns are produced in 83 of the 97 clusters in existence today. Some 46 of them have cooperation with weaving or knitwear factories, and the entire production cycle up to finished garments and knitwear has been established in 50 clusters.
It is reported that the textile industry now employs more than 300,000 people compared to 2016, when only 100,000 people were employed, the development progress is obvious. Its share in the country's industrial production also increased from 7.5 percent in 2016 to 12.4 percent in 2020. The share of finished products (fabrics and clothing) is growing steadily.
“In 2021, textiles and clothing exports are expected to increase by almost 50 percent to $2.8 billion from 2020. According to preliminary estimates, only the supply of garments and hosiery abroad will grow from about $650 million to $1.4 billion. The industry has set itself an ambitious goal of reaching an export level of $7 billion in 2025,” the article says.
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