Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 October, the city of Ferghana hosted the opening ceremony of the II Light Industry Forum of the Ferghana Valley, which was attended by importers from Russia, Belarus, Italy, Poland, Austria, Turkey and other countries.

At the opening ceremony, the leadership of the regional division of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade noted the importance of the Forum for the mutual exchange of experience and the conclusion of trade agreements between local and foreign entrepreneurs. 

A presentation was made on the export potential of the textile industry in Ferghana region. In particular, the growth of textile enterprises with the participation of foreign capital from 56 in 2019 to 83 in 2022 is emphasized. Textile products of the Ferghana region in 2021 were exported to 49 countries, and in 2022 already to 57 countries of the world. The number of exporting enterprises increased from 174 in 2021 to 201 in 2022.

The attention of the participants was drawn to the opportunities that open up in connection with Uzbekistan obtaining the status of GSP + EU and Enhanced GSP UK, the abolition of the boycott of cotton and textile products, as well as the conditions for investors, tax and customs benefits and preferences created in free economic and small industrial zones.

During the Forum, an exhibition of products from more than 60 local manufacturers of light industry, B2B negotiations and visits to large production sites in the region were organized.