Increasing the volume of cotton processing and creating closed production chains will allow Tajikistan to increase textile exports to $3 billion in the future. This was stated by the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic Sherali Kabir at the opening of the First International Textile Forum.
"Today, about 30% of the cotton grown in the country is processed within the republic, the rest is exported as raw materials. Last year, the export of textiles and cotton fiber amounted to about $300 million. With the attraction of investments and the release of finished products, this figure can be increased to $3 billion. This is a realistic goal," the minister emphasized.
Kabir noted that the development of the cotton and textile industry is part of the fourth national strategy aimed at accelerated industrialization and doubling industrial production within five years. Particular attention, he said, is paid to the creation of full-cycle clusters – from cotton cultivation to the production of finished products.
Within the framework of the Strategy for the Development of the Textile Industry adopted two years ago, it is planned to create more than 600 thousand jobs in Tajikistan and ensure the complete processing of local cotton.
The Minister emphasized that the government of the republic and the business community are ready for active cooperation with foreign investors. "The textile sector is becoming a center of innovation. We see growing interest from international partners, equipment manufacturers and financial institutions," he noted.
The development of the textile industry, as the forum participants emphasized, corresponds to the goals of the National Development Strategy until 2030 and the strategy in the field of social protection until 2040.