Uzcharmsanoat Association chairman dismissed

Akbar Sultonov, chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association, has been dismissed from his post. The announcement was made today, February 13, during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on key tasks to ensure high economic growth rates in sectors and regions.

It was noted that fashion and design trends in footwear production are changing rapidly. Enterprises that fail to adapt to modern requirements risk losing competitiveness not only in foreign markets but also in the domestic market.

However, the leadership of the Uzcharmsanoat Association was criticized for failing to introduce innovations in the sector and for not working closely with enterprises on the ground.

Out of 972 footwear manufacturing enterprises, 378 have ceased operations, while another 120 are operating at less than half of their capacity. The industry also remains dependent on imports for lasts, laces, and accessories.

As a result, less than 40 percent of the promised 250 million US dollars in exports was achieved last year. The association’s production and export plan for this year was also described as unsatisfactory.

In this regard, an instruction was given to dismiss A. Sultonov from the post of chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association.