India lifts cotton export ban

DHAKA: India has lifted ban on cotton export to different countries of the world including Bangladesh from Monday.

The Information Department of the Indian central government disclosed this Monday evening.

On March 5, the neighboring country unexpectedly imposed ban on exports of cotton mentioning it wanted to ensure supplies for local mills.

In April 2010, India had banned cotton exports and lifted the ban in the same year.

The Indian decision of banning cotton export was about to hamper knitting industries of Bangladesh as the country imports around 35 percent cotton of its total demand from India.

Besides, a team of Bangladesh government officials and businessmen is set to leave for Uzbekistan on May 5 to discuss import of cotton from the country as India had denied exporting the item as per requirement.

The team members are scheduled to attend the first ever meeting with Uzbekistan officials at Tashkent, capital of Uzbek, from May 5 to 8.

A source from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association said Bangladesh has to import 90 percent of total demand of cotton and import 35 percent of total demand from India, the second largest cotton producing country.

BDST: 0220 HRS, May 1, 2012

Edited by: Shahin Afroz, Newsroom Editor