The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has made a decision regarding the support and enhancement of the export potential of the light leather industry. This resolution provides for expanding the volume of deep processing of leather raw materials in the country, adapting leather processing enterprises to modern environmental standards, and supporting the production of high-value and export-oriented products.
In accordance with the adopted decision, the following key indicators have been set for the development of the leather and footwear industry during the period 2026–2027:
According to the decision, a 'roadmap' will be developed and implemented for the phased development of the leather and footwear industry in the regions from 2026 to 2028. Target indicators for creating collection points for leather and wool that meet veterinary and sanitary requirements were also confirmed, along with identifying local initiators in the regions for the period 2026–2028.
Business entities engaged in collecting leather and wool are exempt from profit tax, property tax, land tax, and turnover tax from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. Furthermore, the 'Entrepreneurship Development Company' AJ will compensate interest rates on loans in national currency taken out from commercial banks to replenish funds for leather and wool collection purposes, exceeding the Central Bank's main rate but not more than by 10 percentage points, and will also compensate 5% of the rates on foreign currency loans.
In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on adopting additional measures to support the production of finished goods in the leather and footwear industry and to increase export potential, a Directorate for Managing the Leather and Footwear Industrial Zone will be established in the form of a limited liability company.
Land plots belonging to the leather and footwear industrial zones located in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region and the Sharikon district of Andijan region will be transferred to the Directorate under lease terms, and it will be tasked with managing these territories.
The sole founder of the Directorate is the Restoration and Development Fund, and the Directorate is managed based on a power of attorney from the Agency for Light Industry Development.
Funds amounting to 360 billion UZS will be allocated from the republican budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2026–2027 to build modern treatment facilities for leather and footwear industrial zones in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region and enterprises for processing leather and wool in the Syrdarya district of the Syrdarya region.
Within two months, a target list for the modernization and construction of treatment facilities at leather processing enterprises in accordance with international standards will be formed, and proposals for financing these projects within the framework of the Republic of Uzbekistan's Program for the Development of Social and Production Infrastructure for 2026–2028 will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.
To finance investment projects in the leather and footwear sector, participation in projects, and replenish working capital, $33 million USD has been allocated, according to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PQ-181 of May 20, 2024, on measures to promote the leather, silk, and carpet sectors. These funds are distributed as follows:
a) $10 million USD is directed to the Restoration and Development Fund to provide loans to enterprises through commercial banks during 2026–2027, with the condition that repayment to the Fund occurs by December 31, 2035. Loans are provided for investment projects for a term of 10 years, including a three-year grace period, at an annual rate of 5% (the margin of the Restoration and Development Fund is 3.5%, the bank's margin is 1.2%, and the Agency's expenses are 0.3%); as well as for replenishing working capital for up to 36 months at an annual rate of 3.5% (the margin of the Restoration and Development Fund is 2.5%, the bank's margin is 1.2%, and the Agency's expenses are 0.3%).
b) $23 million USD is directed to the Directorate's target fund for the construction of production buildings and structures upon request from entrepreneurs in the wool processing and leather and footwear manufacturing sectors, which will be sold to entrepreneurs in stages over 7 years according to a schedule agreed upon with the Directorate.
From July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, the Directorate and the Directorate for Managing the Small Industrial Zone in the Oltingol district of Andijan region are exempt from paying profit tax, property tax, land tax, and water resource usage fees.
The Agency, together with the Uzbekistan-Korean Educational and Practical Textile Technopark, will regularly organize preparatory courses such as 'School of Designers-Pattern Makers', 'School of Marketers', and 'School of Technologists' for specialists, workers, masters, and artisans in the sector starting from October 1, 2026.
80 billion UZS will be allocated for 2026–2027 to provide external engineering and communication infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, and gas pipelines) to the leather and footwear industrial zones in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region, the Sharikon district of Andijan region, and enterprises for processing wool and leather in the Syrdarya district of the Syrdarya region.
The career fair 'TalabaExpo – 2026' took place in the city of Navoi at the Alisher Navoi recreation park. The event was organized with the participation of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, JSC 'Uzmilliibank', the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Navoi Region Administration, and the Youth Affairs Agency as part of the 'Step into the Future' program.
Ensuring decent employment for young people in the country, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, and increasing the economic activity of young individuals are among the key directions of state policy. An important legal basis is the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 14, 2025, on 'Additional Measures to Facilitate Employment of Higher Education Graduates.'
In accordance with this decree, special attention is paid to ensuring graduate employment, supporting their business ideas, and expanding opportunities for using preferential financial resources. Systematic work is also being carried out in the Navoi region under this resolution. The event, organized to ensure graduate employment, their placement, direction to internships and traineeships, and support for startup ideas, gathered over 100 companies and organizations.
Currently, more than 8 thousand students are completing their studies in four higher education institutions in the Navoi region during the 2025-2026 academic year. Additionally, 4676 graduates from other regions are under constant monitoring. According to available information, Navoi State University graduates 4876 students in the 2025/2026 academic year. Of these, 1942 people found permanent employment, 83 became individual entrepreneurs, 663 self-employed, 737 are in childcare, 24 have disabilities, and 1427 are awaiting employment.
Bahora Abdukodirova, a native of the Narpay district of Samarkand region, shared her experience: 'I graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Navoi State University. At this fair, I met vacancies presented by organizations and companies. Company representatives provided me with detailed information about open positions. I got a job at one of the state organizations. I am very happy about this.' The 'Step into the Future' program provides students with the opportunity to choose a suitable place of work, and the program itself is one of the initiatives that helps youth find jobs, direct them according to labor market needs, and create a direct link with employers.
Mirjon Qahhorov, Director of the 'Step into the Future' Center at the Navoi Regional Hospital of JSC 'Uzmilliibank', reported that JSC 'Uzmilliibank' has concluded cooperation agreements with four higher education institutions in the Navoi region through the Navoi Regional Administration. Regional branches of the 'Step into the Future' centers have also been established at Navoi State University and Navoi State University of Finishing and Technology. Through these centers, students' business ideas are refined into full-fledged projects, promising initiatives are financed, and graduate employment is ensured in cooperation with employers. In the 2024-2025 academic year, preferential loans totaling 8 billion 809 million soms were allocated to 168 projects presented by graduates. As a result, 185 young people found employment. Of these, 154 self-employed projects received a loan of 1 billion 540 million soms, and 14 legal entities received 7 billion 269 million soms, which provided permanent employment for another 41 young people.
Similar events continue in 2026. Since the beginning of the year, credit funds totaling 25 billion 717 million soms have been directed to support graduates and young entrepreneurs for 150 projects. Consequently, employment was secured for 171 young people. 133 projects were financed with preferential loans under the 'Step into the Future' and 'Future Entrepreneur' programs amounting to 13 billion 97 million soms. The remaining 17 projects received commercial loans totaling 12 billion 620 million soms.
In recent years, a number of positive measures have been implemented to guarantee the property rights of business entities and prevent undue interference. In this regard, the Business Ombudsman is taking appropriate measures to protect the legitimate interests of entrepreneurs. Every appeal from an entrepreneur serves as an important basis for deeply analyzing the real situation, identifying systemic issues in the field in advance, and developing the most appropriate solutions for them.
Specifically, the Business Ombudsman received an appeal from an entrepreneur who carried out construction and repair works at educational institution facilities located in Balingchi district and Andijan city. The entrepreneur was dissatisfied because the payment for the completed work had not been fully made.
It was determined that contracts worth a total of 7.8 billion soums were concluded between the company 'Single Customer Service' under the Andijan regional government and the community. However, the debt amounting to 323 million soums for the completed construction and repair works was not fulfilled despite several appeals and demands from the entrepreneur.
As a result of the investigation by the Business Ombudsman, a lawsuit was filed with the Andijan District Economic Court to recover this debt in order to protect the interests of the entrepreneur. Ultimately, the court decision stipulated the recovery of 323 million soums in debt for the benefit of the entrepreneur.
