DUSHANBE, June 9, Asia-Plus — Tajik Industries Minister Zayd Saidov considers that a mistake has been made on workout of a new method of realization of cotton fiber to domestic textile producers.
“I think a mistake has been made on workout of the new method of realization of cotton fiber to domestic and foreign producers,” Tajikistan’ Minister of Industry Zayd Saidov told journalists in Dushanbe on June 8. He expressed hope that no obstacles would be put on the way of development of textile industry in the country in future. “The government is currently working on this issue,” Mr. Saidov said.
As it had been reported earlier, the Agriculture Ministry and the Antimonopoly Committee in late March this year worked out the new method of realization of cotton fiber to domestic and foreign textile producers. Under this new method the price of cotton fiber to domestic textile producers has risen. The pricing problem that resulted from this decision has seriously hurt Tajik textile producers. If in March, a ton of cotton fiber was sold for US$948 to both domestic and foreign producers, the price has now grown up US$109 for domestic producers, which puts Tajik textile producers at a disadvantage.
As a result of this, joint venture “Kabool-Tajik Textiles” in northern Tajikistan suspended its activity in May for an uncertain period.
According to information from the Ministry of Industry, only 12.4 percent of the cotton Tajikistan produces is processed into manufactured goods in Tajikistan, while the remainder is exported for manufacturing outside the country.
Speaking to journalists, the minister noted that new method would impede development of the domestic light industry and attraction of foreign investments.
