Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 11 /Trend H.Hasanov/
French CIFAL intends to increase productive cooperation with Turkmenistan which has been actively developing for nearly 20 years, the national TV channel Altin Asir said on Friday quoting CEO Gilles Remy, who was received by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.
'The French company has identified the agricultural are and particularly the cotton industry as one of the vectors of mutually beneficial partnership, since production of the Turkmen cotton is one of the most competitive in the global market', a statement said.
CIFAL also operates in such areas as the fuel and energy sector, industrial and civil construction, communications, electronics, consulting and expert services.
The French businessman stressed that "he is glad to be able to discuss issues of cooperation built on a long and mutually beneficial basis during a personal meeting."
This year, it is planned to collect 1.109 million tons of raw cotton from 550,000 hectares. As in previous years in the current planting season which started about a month ago, particular attention was paid to the soil and climatic characteristics of each region.
The current campaign involves about 7000 tractors, 2200 sowing machines, about 5000 cotton cultivators and other machinery. Equipment is purchased mainly from the United States and Belarus.
In 2011 Turkmenistan grew about 1.1 million tons of raw cotton. Traditionally, the country exports it to China, Russia, Britain, South Korea, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Singapore, Ukraine and the Baltic countries.
There are 36 cotton mills under the Turkmenpagta state concern. Raw cotton is grown in five provinces (regions) of the country: Akhal, Mary, Lebap, Dashoguz and Balkan. Harvesting is usually carried out from August to October, last year it was held also in November.
Cotton production (cotton, lint, uluk) is implemented through the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan.