FROM BRAZIL TO SOUTH KOREA: UZBEKISTAN EXPORTS FOOD PRODUCTS TO 80 COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

During the years of independence in Uzbekistan the consumption of meat per capita increased by 13 times, milk and dairy products - by 1.6 times, and processed fruit and vegetables almost 4 times.

These data were presented during a press conference on the theme "Years of independence: the stages of food industry development" held in Tashkent. It was organized by the Association of Food Industry of Uzbekistan (AFIUz).

The event noted that the country has carried out extensive work to increase the volume of fruit and vegetable cultivation, production of meat and dairy products, the development of processing and food industries.

In the early 1990s, the population in need of food was mainly covered by imports. Today, 96 % of the demand for this category of goods is provided by local producers.

It was also stressed that the food industry is one of the highest priorities for domestic and foreign investment. In the industry for the period fr om 2008 to 2014, 1400 investment projects have been realized and the investments worth more than $ 210 million have been attracted. Due to this over the last five years the share of processed milk, meat and fruit and vegetables increased by 1.5-2 times and more than 20,000 new jobs have been created.

At the press conference was also announced information on the implementation of plans for 2015 in the food industry. In particular, it was noted that in the current year the investments worth more than $ 55 million, which was attracted at the expenses of own funds, bank loans and foreign direct investment, have been provided for. At the same time, in January-June 2015, $ 27 million was already drawn.

In accordance with the regional investment programs 983 projects worth more than 389 billion soums will be implemented in this year. It is planning to create 10,575 new jobs. In the first six months of 2015, 541 projects have already been implemented and more than 4,525 new jobs have been created.

In an interview with the information agency "Jahon" Deputy Chairman of the Association of Food Industry of Uzbekistan Azmiddin Kambarov shared perspectives of the development of the food industry in the medium term.

— In the next five years the share of processed fruits and vegetables will increase by 1.5 times, and the production of various canned foods - 2 times, - he said. – In 2020 over 300 major projects worth $ 410 million will be realized. They include the organization of new capacities and modernization of the existing ones in the food industry. These new enterprises will be based on deep processing of raw materials and equipped with innovative technologies. Particular attention will be paid to the development of the potential of regions. Over five thousand projects worth $ 500 million is planned to implement.

The priority areas will remain such an import substitution and increasing the range of domestic products and improving their quality. According to our forecasts, by 2020 the volume of food products imports will be reduced by 80%, while exports increased by 2 times.

In turn, the head of investment department of AFIUz Adham Daliev said that in the 90 -s of the last century, Uzbekistan exported products to five foreign countries. Today, the number of States, which imports food products under the label “Made in Uzbekistan”, has reached 80. Among the importing countries can find Brazil, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and others.

— Taking into consideration of the huge potential of Uzbekistan in the field of food industry, many foreign companies have expressed interest in establishing business in our country, - said A.Daliev. - In particular, South Korea’s Lotte Confectionery plans to open a major confectionery factory in the special industrial zone "Angren" wh ere foreign investors were provided with a set of privileges and preferences. There are a number of other investors from Asia, Europe and America, who intend to invest in the economy of Uzbekistan.

IA "Jahon"