On August 19th, Mr. Vladimir Norov—former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, President of the Central Asia Artificial Intelligence Association, and Honorary President of the China Industry Overseas Development Association—visited the Shenzhen Furniture Industry Association. His visit aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the Association and the broader development of Shenzhen’s furniture industry.
Vladimir Norov (center), former SCO Secretary-General and Uzbek FM
Jiang Yun (right), Secretary-General of China Industry Overseas Development Association
Hou Kepeng (left), Chairman of Shenzhen Furniture Association
Jiang Yun, Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association of Industries, Jasur Yuldoshev, head of the Investment Agency of Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan, and Bahtiyorbek, founder/investor of VoiceTech Company Hasanov Batiyobek Hasanov, Yan Qinglin, director of the Office of the China Association for Overseas Development of Industries, and others accompanied the visit.
Norov: Deeply study the successful experiences of Shenzhen's reform and opening up and the Shenzhen Home Furnishing Association
As the Belt and Road Initiative progresses and Chinese brands expand globally, economic and trade ties between China and Central Asian countries have grown increasingly close. Mr. Vladimir Norov is well acquainted with Shenzhen. In recent years, the Uzbekistan–China Investment Forum, organized by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, has been held in Shenzhen. President Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan also visited Shenzhen to attend the forum. Uzbekistan is actively strengthening economic and trade cooperation with China.
This was Mr. Norov’s first visit to the Shenzhen Furniture Industry Association, where he gained a thorough understanding of the city's furniture industry development. Chairman Hou Kepeng accompanied Mr. Norov on a detailed tour, introducing the association and the industry's growth. Shenzhen’s furniture industry has transformed from a traditional strength into one that is fashionable and creative. This success stems from a combination of Italian design and Chinese manufacturing, and a long-standing commitment to original design, high standards and quality, and intellectual property protection. With the support of platforms such as the R&D Institute, testing center, four major laboratories, and Shenzhen Home Design Week, the industry has advanced toward internationalization, reaching its current scale and status. Its furniture exports and domestic sales rank among the highest in the country.
Mr. Norov strongly agrees with this view. He has served as an ambassador to Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries, and is deeply familiar with cultures and histories from around the world. He is particularly fascinated by Chinese culture and history. He believes that every country’s cultural treasures embody a unique cultural and design essence. only through high standards and exceptional craftsmanship can these be preserved and passed down through generations.
Norov stated that Uzbekistan is learning from China and Shenzhen’s reform and opening-up experience. He emphasized that the Uzbekistan Furniture and Woodworking Industry Association, founded in 2018, finds the Shenzhen Furniture Association’s operational model and achievements highly instructive.
The rapidly developing Uzbekistan and its Silk Road gem — Bukhara Region.
Mr. Norov places great importance on economic and trade cooperation between Uzbekistan and China. He provided a detailed overview of Uzbekistan’s current situation, particularly his hometown, Bukhara Region. In recent years, Uzbekistan’s economy has maintained a growth rate of 6–7%. In 2023, the country’s GDP reached USD 90.8 billion, with a per capita income of USD 2,497. Economic growth has fueled development across all sectors. Demand for home furnishings in Uzbekistan has surged, with products from Turkey, Italy, China, and other countries among the most popular choices.
Bukhara Oblast, one of the 12 regions of Uzbekistan, has a history of over 2,500 years. It is home to Bukhara City, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, widely known as the "pearl of the ancient Silk Road." Historically, it has played a vital role in facilitating cultural exchange and driving economic development along the Silk Road.
In recent years, Bukhara has actively strengthened its transportation and infrastructure, while aggressively attracting both domestic and foreign investment. According to President Mirziyoyev’s official inspection, the region plans to implement 625 investment projects across the industrial, agricultural, and service sectors, with a total value of 25.353 trillion Uzbek sums (approximately USD 3.02 billion).
Additionally, the region plans to establish the Karakul Free Economic Zone to foster the development of natural gas chemical clusters and high-tech industries focused on end-product manufacturing.
Norov expressed strong interest in strengthening cooperation with the Shenzhen Furniture Association and the broader Shenzhen furniture industry. In fact, Shenzhen’s long-term targeted support for Kashgar City in Xinjiang has already built a close connection between the two sides.
Kashgar, known as the western gateway of China and a key hub on the ancient Silk Road, borders five countries and hosts six first-class international ports. It serves as a strategic bridgehead for expanding two-way investment and cooperation between China and Uzbekistan.
By fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem in transportation, trade, and industry among Shenzhen, Kashgar, and Bukhara, greater collaboration—especially in sectors such as home furnishings—can be effectively promoted.
