Italian textile machinery manufacturer Marzoli on Wednesday evening hosted a high-level forum in Tashkent with leading companies from Uzbekistan textile and garment sector, underscoring the industry’s growing role in the Central Asian nation’s economy and its ambitions to expand globally.
During the event, Marzoli presented new data on Uzbekistan’s textile industry, highlighting both its rapid transformation and the challenges ahead. Executives discussed the sector’s shift from raw cotton exports to higher value-added textile and apparel production, a move that has positioned Uzbekistan as an emerging hub in regional and global supply chains.
Industry leaders acknowledged progress in innovation, investment, and international compliance but warned of significant hurdles, including rising competitiveness pressures, the need for greater sustainability, and a decline in global cotton prices that has strained margins. According to government forecasts, Uzbekistan’s cotton lint production is expected to contract in the 2025/26 season, reflecting pest damage and climate stress.
Despite these challenges, participants identified strong opportunities for sustainable growth and international expansion. They emphasized innovation in manufacturing processes, digital design tools, and supply chain integration as key levers for maintaining competitiveness in fast-changing global markets.
The gathering was followed by a dinner reception, where delegates exchanged ideas and potential solutions in what Marzoli described as “a true moment of dialogue and collaboration.” Company officials stressed that stronger cooperation between private firms, policymakers, and associations such as the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association would be critical to sustaining momentum.
“Only through shared knowledge and cooperation can we address the challenges of such a dynamic and demanding industry,” Marzoli said in a statement, adding thanks to the association for its support in organizing the event.
Uzbekistan’s textile and apparel sector accounts for more than one-fifth of the country’s non-energy exports and provides employment to hundreds of thousands, particularly women and youth. With markets in Europe, Turkey, and Russia, and growing interest in Asia and North America, the sector remains a pillar of the nation’s economic diversification strategy.
