Uzbekistan now processing all cotton it grows - president

TASHKENT. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan is now processing all of the cotton fiber it produces and has started importing raw cotton for subsequent processing, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

"The amount of cotton fiber processing has increased from 40% in 2017 to 100%. At the same time, work has begun on importing raw cotton for production of finished products with high added value," Mirziyoyev said in an address to participants in the conference of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation and International Apparel Federation, the text of which was released by his press service on Monday.

He recalled that the country has eliminated the state monopoly on growing cotton, and has created and is improving a cluster system that encompasses the whole process, from procuring the raw material to manufacturing finished products.

"Our reforms in this area have won the recognition of prestigious international organizations and the boycott on Uzbek cotton was lifted. We are continuing cooperation in this direction with the international coalition Cotton Campaign," Mirziyoyev said.

Thanks to the opportunities created, production and exports of textile products are growing, he said.

"The most important thing is that previously raw material accounted for a substantial portion, about 70% of the sector's exports, but today 60% of exported goods are finished products," Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan produces an average of 3.5 million tonnes of raw cotton annually.