The Uzbekistan Textile Association (UzTextile) delegation is scheduled to be in the UK from 28 November to 1 December to strengthen existing ties with the UK and raise awareness of the new opportunities available within Uzbekistan's textile sector.
Uzbekistan Textile Association explained it is already a supplier for a number of major international brands, and the delegation seeks to deepen its ties with the UK market.
Mirmukhsin Sultanov the first deputy chairman of the Uzbekistan Textile Association said: “It’s a hugely exciting time to be bringing a delegation of Uzbekistan’s leading clothing and textile manufacturers to the UK in order to build relationships and showcase our capabilities as the sector rapidly develops and modernises in line with global best practice.”
The organisation claims Uzbekistan's textile industry has a number of structural competitive advantages, such as offering prices up to 3.5 times more economical than Türkiye, coupled with delivery times 2.5 times faster than Bangladesh. This is supported by a substantial 70% reimbursement of delivery costs to Europe and 0% import tax on Uzbek textiles entering the UK.
The upcoming visit is said to represent a "key milestone" in the progress of Uzbekistan's textile sector, which has undergone significant transformation since 2017 with investments in skills and technology while aligning with global best practices in labour markets.
Sultanov added: “Uzbekistan is in full compliance with international labour standards. In 2022, our country’s textile industry was confirmed free of any form of unsustainable work practice.”
Large manufacturers such as Samarkand Apparel and Bukhara Cotton Textile LLC, are described as key players in Uzbekistan's textile industry and have garnered accreditation from prominent international certification bodies, including ISO, BSCI, and CE and compliance to Better Cotton standards is increasingly common.
These manufacturers offer fully integrated production capabilities, covering the entire spectrum from fabric knitting to garment creation and export.
Uzbekistan-British Trade & Industry Council participation
As part of the visit, the Uzbekistan Textile Association will engage in the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council and participate in a panel discussion on 28 November centred on "Uzbekistan’s Exports Textiles and Produce and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme."
This platform is said to give attendees the chance to interact with representatives from major Uzbek textile companies, fostering an exchange of experiences and discussions on potential collaborations.
“We work closely with international advisors and development organisations and strive for internationally approved quality and control,” said Sultanov.
“The great advantage of Uzbekistan's textile industry is that our clusters include a complete production chain: from growing cotton to producing finished textiles.”
