In recent years, Uzbekistan has been increasingly active in global trade. The nation is expanding its export volumes of both industrial and agricultural products, while simultaneously enhancing production capabilities and integrating innovative practices to align with market trends and fulfill the demand for high-quality goods.

The priorities of state governance have shifted from oversight to a focus on comprehensive business support, creating optimal conditions for production and export activities. This encompasses a strategic approach to diversifying transport corridors and exploring new markets for local products.

A significant focus for Uzbek producers today is the European Union. Uzbekistan benefits from preferential access to European markets through the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+), allowing it to export 6,000 goods to the EU duty-free.

Uzbek entrepreneurs are capitalizing on these opportunities, with export volumes rising each year. From January to September this year alone, exports to EU countries reached $1.047 billion, marking a 33% increase compared to the same period last year. Key products exported under the GSP+ program include finished knitwear, hosiery, and electrical and chemical goods.

Demand for Uzbek products varies across EU countries. For instance, electrical items marked Made in Uzbekistan have seen popularity in Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland, with supply volumes increasing tenfold. Textile products are favored in Germany, Belgium, and Portugal, where similar growth in supply has been observed. Our fruits and vegetables are preferred in Poland and Bulgaria, while flower paper is sought after in the Netherlands, and chemical industry products are in demand in Latvia.

The results achieved thus far are merely the tip of the iceberg, with significant behind-the-scenes teamwork dedicated to supporting exporters. From January to September, as part of a national export support initiative, 36 enterprises received 4.2 billion soums to participate in international exhibitions and fairs. Additionally, $5 million was allocated to cover insurance fees for ten enterprises, $44.7 million was directed towards implementing international standardization and certification systems, and $530,000 was provided to six enterprises for presentations and promotional campaigns.

Consequently, 24 new enterprises successfully exported products worth $25 million to the EU, bringing the total number of exporters to over 560 companies. For the first time, exports of women's clothing to Italy, grapes to France, walnuts to Croatia, household appliances to Finland, and hosiery products to Bulgaria have commenced.

The Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade played a pivotal role in facilitating the increase in exports by organizing visits for leaders of the leather and textile industries, as well as business missions to negotiate with major companies in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Poland.

Company leaders engaged in negotiations with representatives from companies like Alba Tessile, T.I.S., Ametlab, ItalTex, and Sartoria La Torre, among others. Agreements were established for the supply of finished textile products and fabrics, addressing logistics, storage, certification, quality control, the creation of a joint Italian-Uzbek brand, collaboration with European e-commerce platforms, and the establishment of Uzbek trading houses in the EU.

Similar agreements were made by leather product manufacturers with EU partners, including organizations like CTIC, APIC, Confidustria Toscana Sud, and Cámara de Comercio de Valencia, as well as companies such as Aquitex, CEPSA, Alidata, and VentilaQUA.

Initial outcomes from the mission indicate that, under the signed agreements, leather industry exports to Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, and Germany have increased over the past two months.

The Ministry continues to advance export initiatives by promoting local products in European markets. Plans are in place to organize another business mission for entrepreneurs, alongside comprehensive marketing research aimed at boosting export volumes to over ten EU countries. Seminars and training sessions are also being organized in various regions of the republic to address import requirements for fruits, vegetables, and food products in European markets.