Uzbekistan and China have signed a memorandum to broaden collaboration within the textile sector, spanning raw material supplies, technology, investment and the establishment of joint production facilities.
According to Uzbekistan’s Uztextileprom Association, discussions unfolded in Aral, Xinjiang, China, forming part of the Xinjiang–Aral Textile Raw Materials Summit and the 20th Cotton and Textile Industry Forum.
Roughly 300 industry figures took part across the proceedings, encompassing a delegation drawn from Uzbekistan’s textile sector, representatives from Uzbek enterprises and trade bodies, alongside leading Chinese firms.
Attendees explored the present state and outlook of the cotton and textile sectors, shifts within the raw materials market, investment prospects and the evolution of production chains. Particular focus was placed on widening access to fresh overseas markets.
During B2B discussions, Uzbek firms explored supplies of synthetic and chemical fibres alongside their Chinese counterparts, encompassing polyester, viscose and lyocell.
The parties likewise weighed collaboration around blended fabric production, the rollout of dyeing and finishing technologies, automation of production processes and joint investment ventures.
Chinese firms, meanwhile, voiced interest in setting up production facilities and placing orders with enterprises based in Uzbekistan.
The two countries additionally explored establishing joint production facilities aimed at markets across Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the European Union.
Chinese partners are weighing up using Uzbekistan as a regional production and trading hub. The statement stopped short of detailing investment figures or parameters attached to potential ventures.
A further strand of collaboration will centre on training and professional development for specialists within creative professions.
Uztextileprom and Chinese industry partners concurred to collaborate on training local designers and fashion designers whilst honing their professional capabilities.
Following the discussions, the parties pinpointed further areas of collaboration tied to investment, industrial cooperation, technology and exports.
The agreements are anticipated to contribute towards broadening Uzbekistan-China collaboration within the textile sector and building the export potential held by Uzbek enterprises.
Image courtesy: Uztextileprom
