Uzbek president orders measures to develop jewelry industry

TASHKENT. June 20 (Interfax) - Measures to develop the jewelry industry and support the production and sale of jewelry products have been considered at a meeting chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the presidential press service said on Wednesday.

"Our country has a huge potential for increasing the production and export of jewelry products," Mirziyoyev was quoted as saying by the press service.

Only six percent of the gold extracted in the country is processed, and gold product exports are worth only $78 million, "therefore, it's important to create jewelry zones with special conditions for entrepreneurs, to reconsider the supply of resources to the industry, the training of specialists, production chains and the sale system," he said.

Proposals on developing the industry were submitted to Mirziyoyev, the press service said. In particular, there are plans to improve the work of the association Uzbekzargarsanoati, expand its powers and reorganize its management system, it said.

The possibility of introducing a zero customs duty and tax on the added value of equipment, packaging and marking materials for the jewelry industry that are not produced in Uzbekistan for the period until October 1, 2026 is being studied.

Mirziyoyev ordered that the proposed measures be improved and that a program to develop jewelry production for the period until 2027 be drawn up, the press service said.