In Tajikistan, in 2018, only 25% of cotton that was grown on the fields of the country was processed. The rest was exported as raw materials. This was reported by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan Nematullo Hikmatullozoda.
According to the ministry’s report, in 2018 Tajikistan produced about 300 thousand tons of cotton. In total, Tajikistan last year exported 93 thousand tons of cotton in the amount of $ 165 million. The main buyers of Tajik cotton are Turkey, Kazakhstan and China.
According to Hikmatullozoda, the President of the country gave instructions for the revival of all enterprises for the processing of cotton in the country. “Entrepreneurs involved in this industry should correct this shortcoming. Do not send a single kilogram of cotton abroad without processing, ” said Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon in his letter to the parliament in December 2018.
According to the head of the Ministry of Economic Development, the reconstruction of these facilities requires investment.
Earlier, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda pointed out the shortcomings and omissions in the field of light industry and cotton processing.