Addressing the conference of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation and International Apparel Federation in Samarkand, he said the country has eliminated state monopoly on growing cotton, and has created and 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 was quoted as saying by domestic media reports.

Earlier, raw material accounted for about 70 per cent of the sector's exports, but today 60 per cent of exported goods are finished products, he said.

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

Global companies like Germany’s Teamdress, Italy’s Cotonella, Singapore’s Indorama and South Korea’s Posco International and Gwangyang are operating in Uzbekistan.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)