Tajikistan's textiles, cotton fiber exports were $300 mln in 2024 - industry minister

DUSHANBE. July 9 (Interfax) - Exports of textiles and cotton fiber from Tajikistan amounted to some $300 million in 2024, and this figure could be increased tenfold to $3 billion, Tajik Industry and New Technologies Minister Sherali Kabir said at the International Textile Forum in Dushanbe.

"Around 30% of cotton grown [in Tajikistan] is processed at home, and the rest is exported as a raw material. Exports of textiles and cotton fiber amounted to some $300 million last year. However, by drawing investment and building closed-loop production processes, we can increase this figure to $3 billion. This is absolutely realistic," the Industry and New Technologies Ministry quoted Kabir as saying.

Equipment manufacturers, investors, and development partners have displayed a growing interest in Tajikistan's textile sector, he said.

Tajikistan is seeking to fully process all locally produced raw materials at home, as is indicated in a textile industry development strategy adopted two years ago, Kabir said.

Along with that, the strategy provides for creating over 600,000 new jobs, enhancing the people's living standards, and increasing the economy's resilience to external risks.

The development of the cotton and textile industry is in line with Tajikistan's fourth national strategy focused on accelerating the country's industrialization and doubling its industrial production within five years, he said.

"This approach will enable Tajikistan to solidify its standing on international markets, create new jobs, and make its production processes more technological. We attach special significance to properly controlling all production stages and implementing innovations. The Tajik government and business community stand ready for constructive cooperation and drawing foreign investment that create new jobs and drive GDP growth," he said.