Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 22 May 2019, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the issues of development of the electrotechnical industry, increasing production and exports in the industry.

With the growth of the quality of life, the demand of the population and branches of the economy for electrotechnical products increases. In the world, for example, the cumulative export of such goods has exceeded US$2.5 trillion and is growing at an annual rate of 10 percent, UzA reported.

This industry has a special place in the economy of the country. The domestic market is saturated with products of domestic production. Last year, industry enterprises produced goods of more than 2 thousand types in the amount of 9.6 trillion soums.

At the same time, despite the wide conditions created for the industry, electrotechnical products are imported in considerable volume. Moreover, the share of the country’s exports in the regional market is not high enough.

Issues of development of the electrotechnical industry based on the study of export and import conditions, development of new products and improving the competitiveness of goods produced were discussed at the meeting. Uzeltechindustry Association was tasked with optimizing imports by doubling production and bringing exports to 500 million dollars by 2022.

The President noted that this requires deep processing of raw materials and production of value-added products.

Currently, more than 50 percent of copper products are plain wire. Due to deep processing of copper, it is also possible to produce copper pipes and communication cables that can be sold more expensive on the world market. It was also noted that Uzbekistan has sufficient potential for the production of household appliances, construction, industrial and medical equipment and spare parts.

It was noted that transport costs for export should be reduced.

Issues of expanding production of import-substituting products and reducing its cost were considered.

It was noted that many components are imported, this leads to an increase in cost. The need for strengthening the position of domestic enterprises in the domestic market through the broad deployment of production of refrigeration and heating equipment, computer equipment, mobile communications, solar panels and other high-tech products was emphasized.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry, Useltechindustry Association was instructed to work out a roadmap for development of new types of products.

Particular attention was paid to formation of sustainable demand for domestic products in the domestic and foreign markets, widespread use of government procurement and industrial cooperation. The need was noted for expanding domestic cooperation in such sectors as construction, energy, information and communication technologies, and automotive industry.

It is important to develop external cooperation to enter foreign markets. In this regard, instructions were given for implementation of projects together with world famous brands, establishing a system of product certification based on international standards.

The important role of free economic zones during analysis of conditions created for manufacturers was emphasized. Suggestions were made on placement of new projects in Navoi and Jizzakh free economic zones, and organization of Termez free trade zone. The need was noted for organizing electrical technology parks with modern infrastructure for accelerated development of the industry and creation of convenient conditions for manufacturers.

Necessary measures for the execution of instructions given at the meeting were defined.