According to Fayz holding company, Uzbekistan produced furniture products for 28.1 billion soums in 2003 and the figure rose 5.7 times to 160.3 billion soums in 2010. In nine months of 2011, the volume of furniture production increased by 11.8% or 103.4 billion soums.

Local furniture products are supplied to meet state demands to equip social and other establishments, Fayz, which unites enterprise of furniture industry, noted.

Creation of small enterprises on production of furniture improved competition in the market, which also stimulated to introduction of advanced technologies and modernization of the capacities. Uzbek enterprises also expanded assortment of furniture products and improved their quality and design to meet international standards.

The company said that adoption of measures in legislative level on optimization of customs payments for imported raw materials and equipment, tax preferences for furniture producers helped to achieve high growth of furniture production.

The analysis showed that there are problems with supply of raw materials in condition of limited timber resources. Along with natural timber, the industry uses other cutting and fiber boards such as chipboard, MDF, fiberboard, which are imported. In the result, the share of imported materials in production of furniture in 2011 made up 52.3%.

International industrial fair and Cooperation Exchange has great importance for creation of own resource base for furniture industry. Fayz signed agreements for 2.4 billion soums in 2007 and 11.3 billion soums in 2011.

According to experts, wheat and rice straws, cotton stem s and others can be used in production of cutting and fiber boards to manufacture chipboard, MDF, fiberboard.

Preliminary assessment shows that 10 million euros will be required to create one enterprise on production of such boards with the capacity of 50,000 cubic meters. Uzbekistan needs 5-6 enterprises to meet its demand. However, Fayz said that it should consult with experts on this issue to clarify costs on launch of such production.

Fayz said that it developed a list of raw materials, materials and components, production of which recommended to local firms.

The company said that the enterprises of the industry require to update their equipment as they are produced in 1980-90s.