DUSHANBE
, May 18, Asia-Plus – Prices of cotton fiber for domestic producers of textiles have increased in
Tajikistan
.
Deputy Industries Minister, Abdukarim Hikmatov, has told Asia-Plus that the Ministry of Economy and Trade jointly with the Antimonopoly Committee endorsed a new procedure of realization of cotton fiber.
“This method of calculation of selling prices with taking into account maximum transportation and realization expenses connected with realization of cotton fiber in
Tajikistan
is extremely disadvantageous for domestic textiles producers,” Mr. Hikmatov said, noting that a month ago, the price of one ton of cotton fiber for foreign and domestic textiles producers was the same – US$948. “To date, the price of one ton of cotton for domestic textile producers has risen by US$109,” said Tajik official, “For domestic textiles producers, whose products are main exported to other countries, such prices are unprofitable.”
Mr. Hikmatov considers that a decision on raising the cotton fiber prices has been made for the purpose of resolving the problem of cotton farmers’ debts to the domestic and foreign creditors. He noted that only 12.4 percent of cotton fiber is processed in
Tajikistan
while the rest is exported.
“Domestic and foreign textiles producers should have equal opportunities to purchase raw materials,” said Hikmatov, “Otherwise, many textiles enterprises in Tajikistan will have to suspend their activities as “Kabool-Tajik Textiles” did.”
As it had been reported earlier, Tajik-Korean Joint Venture “Kabool-Tajik Textiles” in northern
Tajikistan
yesterday suspended its activity for uncertain time because of rising cotton fiber prices.
Textiles industry in
Tajikistan
is represented by the Joint-Stock Company (JSC) “Tajiktekstil” (Tajik Textiles) and joint ventures such “CANO”, “Javoni”, etc. The majority of them export their products to other countries.
