The export contracts for this sum were inked during the Fourth International Industrial Forum in Tashkent, deputy chairperson of Uzbekcharmpoyabzali Association (Uzbek Leather and Footwear) Sharif Sheraliev said.

The industry will supply raw leather to footwear producers of India, China, Turkey and Pakistan. Italian and Russian footwear and leather goods producers are expressing interest to the Uzbek products, Uzbekistan Today said.

The industry exported leather products for US$6 million in 2009 and US$10 million in nine months of 2010. The industry plans to export products worth US$2 million till the end of 2010.

Sheraliev noted that 30-40% of total 9 million skins are processed in Uzbekistan and local enterprise will fully process raw leather within the country by 2013.

Among the large projects implemented by Uzbekcharmpoyabzali are launch of production of natural leather at Kentavrus in Tashkent and Tradewell International in Kasansay. Poyabzalchi LLC in Tashkent installed new equipment on production of sport footwear. In 2009-2010, 23 enterprises of association were implemented modernization projects, including ten on footwear production, 10 leather and 3 good production capacities.

In September 2010, new integrated production complex on production of leather and footwear products at the base of Peng Sheng. The new enterprise in Syrdarya region can process up to 600,000 skins and produce 400,000 pairs of footwear. New enterprise plans to export at least 70% of products.