On August 20, 2025, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will hold his traditional open dialogue with entrepreneurs. This event is not just a meeting — it is a strategic platform for shaping the country’s future economic reforms.

In preparation for this high-level event, the "Uzcharmsanoat" Association organized an open discussion with representatives of the leather and footwear industry. The goal: to identify existing challenges, listen to the voices of businesses, and compile concrete proposals for the presidential agenda.

The leather and footwear industry remains one of Uzbekistan’s promising yet underdeveloped sectors. Although more than 1,000 enterprises are operating in the field, the majority of them are focused on the domestic market. Export volumes remain modest.

Key challenges raised during the meeting:

Limited access to international certifications (ISO, BSCI, REACH);

Underdeveloped logistics and marketing infrastructure;

Lack of competitive design and professional management;

Bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining land in small industrial zones.

Entrepreneurs' main proposals:

Simplify land allocation processes and reduce bureaucratic barriers;

Expand cooperation with international certification bodies;

Establish a unified marketing platform for the “Made in Uzbekistan” brand;

Create a dedicated engineering center or industrial cluster for the footwear sector.

According to industry representatives, the past five years have seen dynamic reforms in the sector. Local clusters have been formed, exports have increased, and participation in international exhibitions has grown. However, sustainable development now requires institutional support: human capital, innovation, international standards, and policy coordination.

The Uzcharmsanoat Association today serves not only as an industry coordinator but also as a practical mediator between entrepreneurs and government institutions. The feedback collected from the regions will serve as a solid foundation for the upcoming dialogue with the President.

The open discussion within the leather and footwear sector illustrates the practical implementation of the "entrepreneurial initiative – responsive government" principle. The proposals voiced can define the next phase of reforms.

The upcoming Presidential dialogue presents an opportunity to incorporate business feedback into national economic policy. In this process, every entrepreneur’s voice matters.