Design Centre to be Launched in Uzbekistan

A design centre focused on developing basic computer-aided fashion design skills will be launched in Namangan, Uzbekistan. The centre will aim to improve the professional skills of young people and women, create new employment opportunities, and improve the competitiveness and quality of products.

Studies show that the demand for new models of clothes has accelerated to a rate that is difficult to match with traditional technology and processing models. Consumers want new products as fast as they can think of them, and always for less money. Luckily, technology is also evolving, and recent innovations in design technologies have supported industry’s ability to respond to consumer demand through faster production, providing companies the control and flexibility they need to stay competitive.

In Uzbekistan, the textile industry’s share within the country's GDP is growing. Accelerated development of the textile industry has led to expanded manufacturing and the creation of new jobs.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov pointed out the need to develop new approaches to producing goods, with the aim of the nation’s producers gaining top positions in the world market. This will require product manufacturing based on market research, paying special attention to design issues, and developing national brands within the international market.

The main objective of the new centre will be to contribute to achieving these goals, including strengthening human resource capacity, expanding production, and improving the quality of manufactured products.

The center will be created in the format of a leading classic clothe manufacturing factory. This will enable young designers to obtain practical skills that correspond to production demand. In addition, to simplify designers’ work and improve product quality, the ‘Istiqlol Dizayn Markazi’ centre will be equipped with modern equipment, enabling designers to construct new models using computer-aided design systems, 3D simulation and digitizing, while also enabling them to print life-size sketches.

Centre trainees, including graduating students of specialized colleges and universities, will be trained under the guidance of a coach with an international qualification. 48 specialists are expected to be trained every year. Having completed the course, specialists will be able to apply their knowledge and experience either by working at other factories or establishing their own businesses. Approximately 15 talented students will be employed at the ‘Istiqlol Dizayn Markazi’ factory.

Developing the computer-aided design skills of young people, and introducing modern design and technologies, will enhance manufacturing capacity, ensure the growth of the industrial production of textile products, and increase export volumes. The establishment of the design centre will create opportunities to improve the market-demanded skills of young people, particularly those of women, while generating new jobs and improving participant livelihoods.

The centre will be established within the framework of the UNDP and CCI ‘Business Forum of Uzbekistan (Phase 3)’ joint project, with financial support from the ‘Sasol’ representative office in Uzbekistan.