Our plans include the organization of a "Furniture Cluster" and a "Furniture Academy" in the Qashqadaryo Region

**Our plans include creating a "Furniture Cluster" and a "Furniture Academy" in the Kashkadarya Region**

The well-known entrepreneur Salomat Komilova was born in 1954 in the Kashkadarya Region. In 1976, she graduated from the Moscow State Technical Institute, majoring in "automation and complex mechanization of the woodworking and furniture industries."

She began her career in 1976 as a process engineer at the "Karshiindustriya" association, then worked as the head of the production department at the "Namanganmebel" factory, and later as the chief process engineer at the woodworking plant under the "Karshiindustriya" association.

The limited liability company "Karshimebel" she founded became the first production enterprise to lay the foundation of the furniture industry in the Kashkadarya Region. It produces a wide range of upholstered and cabinet furniture, as well as high-quality and modern furniture for kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. LLC "Karshimebel" utilizes next-generation machinery and technologies from Turkey, Germany, and China designed for laser cutting and iron welding.

Salomat Komilova is a winner of numerous republican and regional competitions. In 2011 and 2014, she won 1st place at the regional stage of the "Tashabbus" contest, and at the republican stage, she received the nomination "Eng sahovalli tadbirkor" (The Most Generous Entrepreneur). In 2016, she became the winner of the republican competition "Eng yaxshi biznes loyiha" (The Best Business Project), established by the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan and the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In 2019, she won at both the regional and republican levels in the competition held by the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan in the nomination "Yilning eng ilgʻor tadbirkor ayoli" (The Most Advanced Businesswoman of the Year), and in 2024, she won the nomination "Yilning eng yaxshi ish beruvchi tadbirkor ayoli" (The Best Employer Businesswoman of the Year).

In 2015, she was awarded the "Shukhrat" medal. As a deputy of the regional and city Kengashes (councils), Salomat Komilova makes a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the region.

Together with her late husband, Khamidzhon Komilov, who held leadership positions in the local industry system in the Namangan and Kashkadarya regions, they raised 4 children and 12 grandchildren.

"The fact that I chose the field of furniture production was not an accident or just a desire to do business. Behind this decision lies a solid professional foundation and the call of the times. At that period, I was driven by two great forces: the first was my technological knowledge and professional confidence, and the second was a woman's inherent desire to create home comfort.

In Moscow, I studied to be a process engineer specifically in this field. I learned all facets of the furniture industry—from the quality of raw materials to the operation of machine tools, production chains, and technological processes. After graduating in 1976, I returned to my homeland, where I worked at furniture industry enterprises and gained experience.

The first years of independence were very difficult and challenging from an economic standpoint. It was a period of great hardship and uncertainty. The unemployment rate was high, and social systems were only beginning to be rebuilt. While old state enterprises were shutting down, demand for the private sector, and especially for local production, was growing.

Back then, in the early 90s, I visited countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and India, and studied their furniture markets. As an engineer, I clearly realized that instead of importing expensive furniture from abroad, we could establish high-tech production right here at home—using local labor and raw materials.

At first, many were surprised: 'A woman, and in such a difficult crisis period, why is she entering furniture production, which is considered a male profession?'. At that time, the work of a female leader in industry or manufacturing raised doubts for many. To be taken seriously, you had to work much harder than men and know your business inside out.

Of course, as a female leader, managing workshops, understanding the language of machines, and finding common ground with craftsmen during those difficult years was not easy. However, the fact that I knew this field very well and thoroughly understood all technological processes gave me a huge advantage. People began to respect me not just as a manager, but as a professional master of my craft.

For me, furniture production is not just a technical process. It is a beautiful combination of refined feminine taste, creativity, and engineering precision. Starting in those difficult years with a small workshop, today we have grown to the level of a large-scale production. This path taught me not to fear crises and proved that knowledge and determination can overcome any difficulties.

Today, looking back, I am once again convinced that I chose the right path during those challenging years. This field gave me determination, taught me not to fear crises, and, most importantly, brought me boundless joy from the opportunity to make people's lives more beautiful.

In the first years of independence, the very concept of a 'furniture industry' did not even exist in Kashkadarya. There was only a woodworking enterprise. Its activities were mainly related to the construction sector; in particular, they produced doors, window frames, ceiling and floor coverings for apartment buildings.

Residents of the region imported furniture mainly from Tashkent or from abroad at very high prices. And the responsibility for creating the first furniture enterprise in such a large oasis with huge potential as Kashkadarya fell on the shoulders of a woman—on me. My higher education obtained in Moscow, my knowledge as a process engineer, and my experience in the furniture industry gave me a clear understanding of exactly how production should be organized.

But in the region, this business had to be started absolutely from scratch. There was no ready raw material base, no modern equipment, and, worst of all, no ready specialists who understood this field. I remember, in the first years of work, I did not just manage, but I also taught local young men in the workshop woodworking, the secrets of technology, and how to work with blueprints. It was in this workshop that we created the first 'ustoz-shogird' (master-apprentice) school to train local personnel.

It all started in early 1995. That was when I decided to create the first furniture production enterprise in the city of Karshi from absolute scratch—the 'Mebel' factory. Initially, we started working with just 9 workers. These 9 people were my first team, the people who laid the foundation of our school of furniture craftsmanship. At that time, many did not believe in us and said: 'Is it even possible to produce furniture in Kashkadarya?'. But we did not stop. When we released our first products, selling them turned out to be incredibly difficult.

A real lifesaver for us in those difficult years was one of the state farms (sovkhozes) in our region. The management of the state farm placed a large order with us—office furniture, furniture for dormitories, and kitchen sets. We decided to conclude the contract on a barter basis. We delivered the furniture, and the state farm, in turn, paid us with the products they produced. It was by overcoming these difficulties that we gained experience, studied the market, and got our enterprise on its feet.

In 2003, a real turning point occurred in the development of the enterprise. That year, we brought modern technologies from China. The existing equipment was completely modernized, and the enterprise was re-equipped. Workshops for wood cutting and processing, furniture production and assembly, finishing (painting and sanding), as well as welding and sewing workshops were launched. As a result, the enterprise was modernized, new jobs were created, production rates increased, product quality improved, and the material interest of employees was ensured. At the factory, where initially only 9 employees started working, the team grew to 95 people.

We did not just open the first furniture enterprise in the region; we laid the foundation for the emergence of an entire new industry in Kashkadarya. Today, seeing how the number of furniture manufacturers has grown in the oasis, I feel proud, because they are all following the path we paved.

— Tell us about your business today. What products do you manufacture? Where do you sell them? What projects have you managed to implement?

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Today, our enterprise has turned into a modern and high-tech large production complex. Relying on modern trends and new technologies, we have significantly expanded our range and improved the quality of our products.

Now we offer customers a huge selection of furniture products. Our production covers several areas:

— premium and cozy home furniture: high-quality kitchen sets, upholstered furniture, bedroom sets, and living room furniture;

— furniture for business and offices: modern office desks, chairs, reception furniture, and special sets for conference halls;

— furniture for the social sector: environmentally friendly, safe, and ergonomic furniture for schools, kindergartens, and medical institutions.

In total, we produce 350 types of furniture products. Our goods are sold not only in the Kashkadarya oasis but also in other regions of the republic. In addition, we work directly with large corporate clients under contracts. Active work is also underway to establish product exports to Central Asian countries.

Over these years, we have implemented many large projects of great socio-economic importance for our region. We successfully completed projects to fully equip newly built modern schools, government organizations, bank branches, medical institutions, and major hotels in the region with domestic furniture.

These projects have brought huge benefits to our region and consumers. In particular, high-quality furniture, which used to be imported from abroad at high prices, is now produced in the region itself and at a much more affordable cost, thanks to which we managed to save the funds of the local budget and the population.

By expanding our enterprise, we have provided hundreds of local young people and women with permanent, well-paying jobs. We trained them in the technologies of working on modern digital machine tools.

Since our products are manufactured directly in the region itself, we can provide customers with a multi-year warranty and prompt service. Our main goal is to bring the brand of products manufactured in our region to a higher republican and international level.

— There are many furniture enterprises in our country. To win the competition, products must be of high quality and affordable. How do you manage to achieve this?

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Today, competition in the market is indeed very high. In such an environment, the main goal of any manufacturer is not just to survive, but to become a leader by ensuring high quality and an affordable price for products. We achieve this balance not by reducing the markup, but thanks to a scientific approach and the correct organization of production. Our secrets are as follows:

Full automation of production. The more the human factor and manual labor are present, the higher the probability of errors and the slower the processes. We have equipped our workshops with the most modern computerized machines from Germany, China, and Italy. This equipment, operating on the basis of digital programs, cuts and processes raw materials with millimeter precision. This allows us to raise product quality to the highest level, save time, and reduce cost.

Waste-free technologies. One of the main factors increasing the cost of furniture is the waste of raw materials. At our enterprise, with the help of special computer programs, the most optimal cutting of laminate or wood boards is established. Thanks to this, the amount of waste is minimized. Even the remaining small sawdust and scraps are processed and used for heating or other needs. The less waste, the lower the cost of the finished product.

Direct procurement of raw materials. We have bypassed intermediaries in the market. We purchase fittings, fabrics, and the main raw materials for furniture directly and in bulk from large manufacturing plants. This significantly reduces the cost of materials, and as a result, our finished furniture becomes affordable for the buyer.

Professional craftsmanship and control. At every stage of production, we have established the strictest technical control. The enterprise has a "quality control department" where every detail is checked before it reaches the buyer. When high-quality raw materials and high technologies are correctly combined with each other, the products do not lose their original appearance for years. In 2011, the team of our enterprise received the international quality certificate ISO-9001. In short, we do not sacrifice quality, but reduce costs through modern technologies and smart management. That is why our products remain affordable and competitive.

— What benefits, support measures, and conditions created in our country to promote entrepreneurship have helped your business?

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In recent years, the attention paid to entrepreneurship in the country, especially to local manufacturers and women's businesses, has become a huge turning point in the development of enterprises like ours. If we compare the conditions of the first years of independence with today's opportunities, the difference between them is like night and day. The main impetus for our enterprise to reach a new level was the following systemic benefits and conditions created by the state:

Localization programs. The inclusion of the furniture industry in the localization program has opened up huge opportunities for us. Transparency in the public procurement system provides special advantages for local manufacturers. In particular, as a local enterprise, we participate in and win tenders for equipping schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and government institutions in our region. This provides us with a constant and large volume of orders.

Customs and tax benefits. High-tech machines and equipment that we import from abroad to modernize production are exempt from customs duties. In addition, tariff preferences on the import of certain raw materials and fittings necessary for the furniture industry and not produced in our country directly help us reduce the cost of products and maintain affordable prices in the market.

Concessional loans and financial support. Concessional loans allocated by banks and entrepreneurship development funds to expand production and increase working capital turned out to be very timely. With these funds, we built new workshops, increased production capacity, and created additional jobs.

Special attention to women's entrepreneurship. Today, support for women's business has been raised to the level of state policy. As a female leader, I received the opportunity to participate in various grants, subsidies, and business development programs. This has been a huge support not only financially but also morally, and has also paved the way for expanding the employment of women at our enterprise.

Reduction of inspections and eradication of bureaucracy. Previously, most of an entrepreneur's time was spent interacting with various regulatory authorities. Thanks to the declared moratoriums on inspections and the digitalization of all processes (electronic tax, electronic customs), we direct all our attention exclusively to production, improving quality, and creating new jobs.

System of open dialogues with entrepreneurs. In recent years, the establishment of an open and direct dialogue with entrepreneurs by the head of our state has provided huge support to business people like us. At meetings and video-selector conferences held annually under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the problems of entrepreneurs are listened to directly, every proposal is answered, and based on the results of these dialogues, new decisions and new benefits are announced.

I, in turn, try to participate in these meetings every year. As a result of such meetings, we learn firsthand about tax and customs benefits, concessional loans, and new programs. This is not just information, but a symbol of trust in the work of an entrepreneur, a sign of equal partnership between the state and the entrepreneur. Every time after such meetings, we return with new plans, new inspiration, and new opportunities. I can say with confidence that this is a vivid expression of the sincere attention of state policy to entrepreneurship.

In short, the conditions created by the state give us wings to look confidently into the future, take risks, and bring local brands to a high level.

— How many jobs have you created? In particular, how many people work in your team and what is their income level? Do you provide them with any other assistance?

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Naturally, as our enterprise developed, my main responsibility became creating new jobs and providing permanent employment for the residents of our oasis. Our small workshop, which in the first years of independence started its activities with just a few workers, has today turned into a large team.

To date, more than 95 local residents have permanent jobs at our enterprise. Among them are experienced furniture makers, design engineers, operators of modern digital machines (CNC), lawyers, and economists.

As a female leader, I pay special attention to supporting women: they make up almost 30 percent of our team. In addition, we pay separate attention to the employment of representatives of socially vulnerable segments of the population. They are mainly involved in areas such as furniture design, working with fabrics, sewing, as well as in calculation and management.

Our remuneration system fully meets market requirements and is based on the employee's qualifications, as well as the volume of work performed. The average monthly salary of our workers ranges from 4 to 7 million soums. Our highly qualified engineers and operators of complex machines earn even more. Most importantly, salaries are paid on time, and we have a very well-established system of material incentives for employees, that is, a system of bonuses for fulfilling the plan.

We do not limit ourselves only to paying salaries. For me, every employee is like a family member. For their social protection, we have organized a number of systemic assistance measures. In particular, a cozy canteen has been organized for our employees right in the workshop, where they are provided with high-quality hot meals daily free of charge. We also have an "Ustoz-shogird" school and free training is available. We hire young people who are interested in this field but do not have a trade, and teach them all the secrets of the furniture business absolutely free of charge.

Employees who have an upcoming wedding or memorial events in their family, or whose children have become students, or who have health problems, are allocated financial assistance at the expense of the enterprise.

I always repeat one phrase: when coming to work, an employee should not think about domestic problems, but care only about honest labor and creating quality products. Solving their social problems is my duty as a leader. The well-being of our team is the main secret of our enterprise's prosperity.

— What is the social significance of your business? Do you support needy families living in your region?

— The social significance of business is not just my duty as a leader, it is my human and motherly duty. Entrepreneurship is not only about making a profit, but also about striving to ease the burden of those around us, to benefit society. My life motto is to be a balm for the soul of at least one person deprived by fate every day. As a woman who witnessed the difficulties of the first years of independence, I know very well how important it is to extend a helping hand to those in need today.

In order to support needy families in our mahalla and in our territory, we implement the following systemic social projects:

Ensuring the employment of citizens included in the "Women's Notebook" and "Youth Notebook". We maintain constant contact with local khokimiyats and mahalla chairpersons. We attract women living in our region who have lost their breadwinner, are in need, or are left without work, as well as unemployed youth, to our enterprise. We not only provide them with jobs, but also teach them a trade completely free of charge, on the "master-apprentice" principle. This provides them not only with temporary help, but also with a permanent source of income for life.

Free furnishing of the homes of needy families. Every year, allocating a certain part of our enterprise's profit, we provide financial and practical assistance to low-income families in our region, as well as families with persons with disabilities or raising orphans. For example, for girls from families in difficult financial situations who are starting a new family, we make wedding furniture sets as a gift. In addition, so that children from families with persons with disabilities or those in need of social protection can study at home, we deliver and install special desks, tables, chairs, and bookcases for them free of charge.

Charity events and mahalla infrastructure. It has become a tradition for us to visit low-income families in our mahalla and distribute food packages to them during all holidays—New Year, Navruz, Independence Day, Ramazan Hayit, and Kurban Hayit. In addition, if the furniture in local schools or kindergartens becomes outdated and requires repair, we consider it our social responsibility to update or repair it.

My main goal is not just to make money by selling furniture in Kashkadarya, but to receive the blessings of the residents of this oasis, to bring beauty and warmth into their lives. I believe that the true prosperity of a business comes precisely from such good deeds.

— This question is the most honorable and close-to-the-heart part of my entrepreneurial activity. If at one time I had used the knowledge gained as a process engineer only for myself, we would not have achieved such great results today. Training personnel for the industry is not just a process, it is the creation of an entire school.

Yes, you said it correctly, over these years I have trained hundreds of apprentices, and I consider this the main wealth of my business. When we were just starting out, there were no ready specialists in furniture production in Kashkadarya at all. Therefore, out of necessity and at the same time out of love for my work, I created the "Ustoz-shogird" school at our enterprise. In this school, I organize training for young people, conduct classes on new developments in the furniture industry, innovative technologies, the use of modern components, and new terms.

The young people who passed through my school are today successfully working not only at our enterprise but also in many other places. Moreover, the most responsible positions at our plant—workshop managers, chief technologist, and designers—are occupied precisely by those apprentices whom we raised ourselves.

— The strategies adopted in our country, in particular, the development programs calculated up to 2030, and the systemic reforms defined to bring the furniture sector to an industrial level, serve as the main roadmap for our plans.

The conditions created today by our state for organizing furniture clusters, strengthening the local raw material base, and stimulating exports have had a huge positive impact on our promising projects for 2026-2030. Our main goals for the future and new projects are as follows:

Organization of the first "Furniture Cluster" in Kashkadarya. Inspired by the state policy of industry clusterization, we plan to create a large furniture cluster with a full supply chain in the Kashkadarya Region. Within this project, raw material processing, fittings production, a design center, and finished product assembly workshops will be combined on one site. This will reduce the cost of products in the region by another 20-25% and create hundreds of new jobs.

Digital technologies and production of "Smart Furniture". In the period up to 2030, consumer demand will change significantly. We intend to integrate artificial intelligence and digital technologies (Industry 4.0) even deeper into production. One of our plans is to launch a line of transformer furniture for modern small apartments, as well as "Smart" furniture equipped with wireless chargers and smart systems. As a process engineer, I personally design these projects.

Entering the export market. Within the framework of the reforms, a system of subsidizing transport and logistics costs was introduced for domestic brands to enter the international market. Using this opportunity, during 2026–2030 we plan to establish stable exports of our products to the markets of neighboring countries—Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Our products will take their rightful place abroad under the "Made in Uzbekistan" brand.

Green economy and environmentally friendly products. In our country, big steps are being taken to protect the environment and transition to "green" technologies. We, in turn, intend to completely switch to using only environmentally friendly raw materials and paint materials (complying with E1 standards) that are absolutely safe for human health in production. We will bring waste recycling capacity to 100 percent.

Relying on my many years of mentoring experience, I want to transform the "Ustoz-shogird" school at our enterprise into a modern "Furniture Academy." Here we will professionally train young people not only in furniture making, but also in 3D modeling, design, as well as programming of modern machine tools.

In conclusion, I want to note that the wise reforms carried out by our state give huge strength and confidence to us, entrepreneurs. Effectively using the created opportunities, we will direct all our knowledge and experience to turn the Kashkadarya Region into one of the largest centers of the furniture industry of our republic.

My golden rule for young entrepreneurs, especially for our women and girls who are just trying to find their way, is this: never be afraid of crises and difficulties, because the strongest foundation is laid precisely in overcoming trials. Believe in your knowledge and be true professionals in your field, and then success will find you itself!