Uzbekistan launches Agency for the development of the Light Industry

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the creation of the Agency for the Development of Light Industry on August 13 during a videoconference meeting on export opportunities and the use of reserves in the textile sector.

The meeting emphasized the need for targeted approaches to developing the textile sector in light of rapid changes in global trade rules and ongoing disruptions in logistics. In this context, the President announced the establishment of the Agency for the Development of Light Industry, which will oversee the textile, leather, and silk industries.

The agency will be headed by Nozimjon Kholmurodov, First Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade.

A council of experienced entrepreneurs will operate under the agency. The agency will also have a separate fund to provide state support and affordable working capital to textile enterprises. The fund will be allocated $200 million.

The new agency, together with the council, has been tasked with developing solutions to address costs, production, and exports; doubling the export of finished products through the “processing in the customs territory” regime; strengthening cooperation; and revitalizing enterprises operating at low capacity.

Working with international consultants, the agency will prepare a program for textile sector development until 2030, along with proposals for the advancement of the leather, silk, and carpet industries.

“Governors, cluster heads, and textile enterprises should understand one thing: they know how difficult it is to generate even 1 soum of additional budget revenue under current conditions. If we calculate the support measures mentioned today, they total 7 trillion soums. Now there should be a corresponding result,” the head of state said.

The meeting instructed strict oversight of the implementation of the assigned tasks. During the session, successful examples from textile enterprises were reviewed, and reports from industry and regional leaders were heard.