Uzbekistan has become the latest country to join Nike’s global sneaker manufacturing network, with the first batch of shoes produced in the country leaving the factory earlier this month, Turanews.kz reports.
The Sino International factory in Andijan, Uzbekistan, is now producing 6,000 pairs of Nike sneakers per day, with plans to double that capacity by the end of the year. The factory employs 50 people, including technologists, designers, and tailors from the Chinese branch of Nike.
Nike chose Uzbekistan for its production hub due to the country’s favorable business environment, skilled workforce, and proximity to Central Asian and European markets. The company also praised Uzbekistan’s commitment to quality control, which is essential for Nike’s brand reputation.
The sneakers produced in Uzbekistan will be sold in Central Asia, Pakistan, and Europe. Nike has also given Uzbekistan an official barcode, which allows the factory to produce all models of Nike sneakers.
This is a major coup for Uzbekistan, which is now one of only a handful of countries in the world that produce Nike sneakers. The development is also a sign of the growing importance of Uzbekistan in the global footwear industry.
The chairman of the Uzcharmsanoat Association, Fakhriddin Boboev, said that the production of Nike sneakers in Uzbekistan is a “great pride” for the country and opens up “great opportunities” for cooperation with other global brands.
Sino International is also planning to produce Adidas sneakers in Uzbekistan in the near future. The company has already begun work on the necessary equipment and training for its workers.
