TASHKENT (TCA) — The Uzbekipaksanoat (Uzbek Silk Industry) Association and the Italian Silk Association have agreed on the establishment of an Italian industrial park in Uzbekistan, the Jahon information agency reported.

The park will house companies specializing in the processing of cocoons, the manufacture of silk products, as well as equipment and necessary components. The parties have already agreed on the creation of the first joint venture to produce finished goods from silk. The emergence of the park, according to experts, will increase the export of silk products to the European Union, as well as enter new markets in European countries.

In addition, the association is negotiating with Turkish textile companies to produce new goods – silk carpets and the painting of silk fabrics.

Within the framework of the program of measures on integrated development of the silk industry until 2021, approved by the Uzbek government, about 30 mills for the processing of cocoons are currently being modernized in the country. Also, work is underway to organize 11 new specialized enterprises for deep processing of silkworm cocoons worth $83.2 million, most of which are planned to be commissioned this year.

As part of the modernization, agreements were signed for the purchase of new equipment from such well-known companies as Van De Wiele, Picanol and Reggiani. As a result, it is planned to double the production of raw silk in three years and increase the figure to 3 thousand tons per year, and also through the deep processing of raw materials to increase the production of silk fabrics eightfold, reaching 11.2 million linear meters per year.

Back in 2016, the extent of the use of production capacities of silk-processing enterprises in Uzbekistan was only 17%, and in 2017 it reached 54%. In 2016, products for $20.9 million were exported, and last year the figure reached $37.7 million.

Today, Uzbek enterprises produce four types of goods: raw silk, silk wool, silk fabric and finished silk products, while last year the manufacturing process was concentrated on raw silk alone. By 2021, it is planned to establish production and export of at least five types of silk goods.

ASTANA (TCA) — The Government of Kazakhstan on August 28 reviewed the implementation of the country’s Strategic Development Plan until 2025, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.

Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov reported that the main goal until 2025 is to achieve a qualitative and sustainable growth of the economy, leading to an improvement in the living standards of people comparable with the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. For this purpose, it is planned that the economy will grow at a level of at least 4.5-5% on average per year, which will allow Kazakhstan to increase GDP per capita to $46,100 by 2025.

“Ensuring the planned growth rate is a prerequisite for achieving the set goals. At the same time, GDP does not fully reflect the quality of life, the level of real welfare of citizens and damage to the environment. In this connection, key national indicators measuring the quality of life of the population and the quality of economic growth are envisaged to measure progress on the way of the world’s top 30 developed countries and achieve the goal,” Suleimenov said.

In order to achieve key national indicators of the Strategic Development Plan until 2025, a Strategic Map was developed in which the indicators are broken down by sector and region. Suleimenov said that the breakdown of key national indicators determined the contribution to the final result of each relevant central state and local executive body responsible for their achievement. By sectors and regions, the most complex three indicators are: “productivity growth”, “investment in fixed assets”, and “the share of the non-observed economy.”

KABUL (TCA) — Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce on August 28 said the Lapis Lazuli Corridor agreement will be implemented within the next two months and will see the first Afghan shipment of goods exported to Europe via the new route, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported.

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KABUL (TCA) — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis rebuffed suggestions that private military forces could join the fight in Afghanistan, and possibly replace regular U.S. troops in the country, RFE/RL reported.

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ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan’s future growth depends on reforms that provide a level playing field for the private sector and support economic diversification, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB’s) Country Diagnostic Study launched on August 28.

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (TCA) — A closing ceremony of the summer camp for youth from Aktobe and Karaganda regions of Kazakhstan took place at the Suleiman Demirel University on August 27. The camp was organized by UNDP with the support of the Ministry of Social Development of Kazakhstan and with the financial support of the Government of Japan.

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