Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The 25th Jinjiang International Footwear Exhibition and the 8th International Sports Industry Exhibition started in Fujian, the capital of the footwear industry of the People’s Republic of China. 

For the first time, a delegation of the Uzcharmsanoat association and more than 20 enterprises that are members of the association are participating in these major conferences. More than 100 types of footwear models and sporting goods labeled “Made in Uzbekistan” are presented to foreign partners by our domestic manufacturers.

Today, in an environment where globalization is developing and competition in the global trade market is intensifying, special emphasis is placed on expanding cooperation in the field of leather and footwear within the framework of the “One Belt, One Road” program among the CIS member countries. This year’s exhibition embodies precisely these goals. These two exhibitions, stretching from east to west, from north to south, bring together approximately five hundred companies, manufacturers and brands from approximately fifty countries around the world.

A new feature of these two conferences was the national pavilion of Uzbekistan. Our local enterprises have entered into dialogue and negotiations with the aim of expanding cooperation with foreign companies, with the aim of entering new export markets, introducing the latest trends, developments and technologies in the industry.

In particular, on the first day of the exhibition, Uzbek businessmen held negotiations on trade, economic, investment, and export cooperation with major players in this area, such as China, Pakistan, Russia and Bangladesh. At a meeting with the leadership of the Pakistan Shoe Association, the parties discussed the implementation of an investment project based on this country. During the dialogue, the Pakistani side noted that it was closely following changes in the leather industry of our country in recent years. The attention paid to investors by the government is of great interest to Pakistani companies. For these purposes, it is planned to create a joint venture specializing in the production of finished footwear products. The Pakistani company is expected to visit Uzbekistan and sign the agreement next month.

Negotiations were held with the Chinese company “Xiamen Xiangi New Material” on the supply of raw materials not produced in Uzbekistan. Enterprises in our country noted that this type of raw material, necessary for the manufacture of shoe soles, is a new technology.

The prospects for holding exhibitions and forums at various levels between the Uzcharmsanoat association and the Chinese exhibition and congress agency Top Repute were also considered. The parties also exchanged views on the issue of creating national pavilions at the international leather industry exhibition, which will be held in the two countries on the basis of a mutually beneficial agreement. The Chinese agency, together with Chinese enterprises, will take part in the international exhibition “UzCharmExpo-2024”, which will be held in Tashkent in the fall.