Fashion
Uzbekistan taking steps to expand footprint in US
Uzbekistan, a rising power in the global apparel export domain, is one such name that is preparing to establish a stronger foothold in the US textile market.
Uzbekistan is working to strengthen its presence in the $100 billion US textile market through initiatives like opening trading houses in St. Louis and New York.
To boost exports and competitiveness, Uzbekistan is investing in modernising its textile sector even as reforms are reportedly focused on upgrading technology, improving compliance, and securing international certifications.
Speaking to Fibre2Fashion Isomiddin Mirzayev, the head of international relations and foreign investment at the Uztextile Industry Association, shared that while new US tariffs are often layered over existing ones—raising the risk of double taxation—Uzbek products still face lower overall duties compared to many other countries.
“The overall tariff burden on Uzbek goods remains lower than that on some other countries, potentially giving us a competitive edge—especially as buyers shift orders away from China,” underlined Isomiddin.
With deep roots in cotton production, Uzbekistan is taking calculated steps to expand its reach into the $100 billion US textile market.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced plans to open two textile trading houses in key American cities—St. Louis and New York—as part of this broader strategic vision. These hubs are expected to serve as promotional and sales centres, linking Uzbek manufacturers directly with US retailers, fashion brands, and buyers.
This move is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a practical and targeted effort to tap into one of the world’s most lucrative consumer markets. The idea is to eliminate intermediaries and create direct lines of communication between producers and buyers, thereby improving efficiency, responsiveness, and profitability.
By placing trading houses in cities with commercial significance and a well-established fashion ecosystem, Uzbekistan is positioning itself to play a more proactive role in the global apparel supply chains.
“Even though the actual export volume remains modest still— under $2 million annually, with proper positioning, a targeted marketing strategy, and optimised logistics, Uzbekistan could significantly increase its export volumes to the US,” claimed Isomiddin in an earlier interaction.
The trading houses, if industry insiders are to be believed, are just one aspect of a much broader push to modernise the Uzbek textile industry, which has been grappling with external pressures such as falling global cotton prices lately.
Recognising the availability of raw material alone is not enough, the government has reportedly launched a series of reforms aimed at upgrading infrastructure, technology, and compliance standards.
According to reports, a $200 million preferential fund has also been allocated to help manufacturers modernise operations and meet export goals. The focus is not only on increasing output but also on elevating the quality and traceability of products to meet international standards.
One of the critical steps in this modernisation journey is improving industry credibility through global certifications.
Uzbekistan is reportedly aiming to have at least 300 textile firms certified to international standards, making them more attractive to buyers who prioritise sustainability, ethical sourcing, and quality assurance.
These certifications are not just badges of compliance; they are gateways to larger orders and longer-term contracts from established brands.
In parallel, the government is also said to be investing in technological upgrades, which will help streamline operations, enhance inventory and supply chain visibility, and enable better decision-making at all levels of the production process.
The country is also reportedly turning to artificial intelligence to boost productivity, improve transparency, and reinforce traceability in the textile sector, according to industry insiders, who claimed that subsidies are also being offered to train workers in digital tools and automation, with the ultimate aim of building a smart, agile, and responsive industry.
The Uzbek government is also reportedly eyeing the European market with the overarching goal to double exports of finished textile products. By shifting focus from commodity exports to finished goods, the country aims to retain more economic value, generate employment, and elevate its status as a competitive player in the global apparel ecosystem.
In a world where supply chains are increasingly scrutinised for transparency, ethics, and sustainability, Uzbekistan is making the right moves, feel experts, who are of the opinion that if effectively implemented, these measures could transform the country’s apparel industry drastically.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
The Ministry of Finance is giving the final touches to a draft resolution that lays out an initial road map to achieve these numbers.
Vietnam’s National Assembly recently approved several socio-economic targets for next year that include GDP growth of at least 10 per cent, GDP per capita of $5,400-$5,500, a rise in consumer price index of around 4.5 per cent and labour productivity gains of 8.5 per cent.
Exports are expected to rise by about 8 per cent in 2026, while retail sales of goods and services are targeted to rise by 11 per cent.
Total social investment is projected at nearly 4.93 quadrillion VND ($189 billion)—up by 18.7 per cent year on year (YoY) and equivalent to 33-33.7 per cent of GDP.
Exports are expected to rise by about 8 per cent in 2026, delivering a trade surplus of around $28 billion, while retail sales of goods and services are targeted to rise by 11 per cent, with a stretch target of 12 per cent.
Industrial hubs like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Da Nang and Dong Nai are also chasing double-digit gains.
Less affluent provinces like Son La, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Vinh Long, Dong Thap and Ca Mau are also targeting 8-per cent or better regional GDP growth, a domestic news agency reported.
The National Assembly has outlined 11 key task groups and solutions. The government has instructed relevant agencies to break these down into concrete, actionable plans under the resolution.
Core focuses include accelerating institutional reforms for greater transparency, consistency and equity in investment and business rules to unlock productive forces and pool resources; advancing a new growth model and economic restructuring; and ensuring timely delivery of strategic and critical infrastructure projects.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Power use rose 6.2 per cent year on year (YoY) to 835.6 billion kilowatt-hours in November. Electricity consumption in the secondary industry increased by 4.4 per cent, reflecting stable industrial activity.
China’s electricity consumption grew steadily in November, indicating resilient economic activity, as per official data.
Power use rose 6.2 per cent YoY to 835.6 billion kilowatt-hours, with secondary industry consumption up 4.4 per cent.
Residential demand increased 9.8 per cent.
In the first eleven months, total electricity consumption climbed 5.2 per cent YoY to about 9.46 trillion kilowatt-hours.
Residential electricity uses also remained robust, rising 9.8 per cent to 105.7 billion kilowatt-hours during the month, as per Chinese media reports.
In the first eleven months of the year, China’s total electricity consumption grew 5.2 per cent YoY to approximately 9.46 trillion kilowatt-hours, pointing to sustained demand despite broader economic challenges.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
This translates to a 22-per cent reduction in export earnings versus a climate-adaptive scenario.
The apparel industries in Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan and Bangladesh may lose up to $65.8 billion in export earnings by 2030 and create a million fewer jobs due to the impact of climate changes if they make no efforts to manage heat stress and higher flooding, a study revealed.
Under the no-adaptation scenario, estimates for export earnings by 2050 are 68.8 per cent lower than in the adaptation scenario.
The estimates for 2050 are even worse. With the compounding effect of slower growth under the no-adaptation scenario, estimates for export earnings are 68.8 per cent lower than in the adaptation scenario.
The analysis also predicts that in these four countries, the employment levels in a no-adaptation scenario would be 8.64 million lower in 2050 than in the adaptative scenario.
The International Labour Organization’s Better Work team offered inputs for the study.
Extreme weather is already disrupting production, delaying orders and threatening workers’ health and incomes. As heat waves and floods become more severe and frequent, worker health, productivity, job creation, and earnings are increasingly at risk, Better Work said in a release.
Despite these challenges, there is reason for optimism. Action is under way across the apparel sector. Governments are introducing and enforcing new standards on workplace heat, ventilation, rest breaks, and access to water.
Global brands are adopting voluntary standards to better manage extreme heat and flooding risks across their supply chains. Manufacturers are training workers to identify and respond to heat stress and related illnesses.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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