Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan are two future textile and apparel powerhouses. In 2013, Sri Lanka’s exports achieved 4.3 billion US dollars in garment exports, an increase of 13 per cent compared to 2012. The country strives to be among the top 10 apparel exporters in the world. It has implemented ethical, practices, guarantees constant power supply to the apparel industry. A conclusion of the proposed Sri Lanka-China free trade agreement this year would propel the nation in the world apparel trade.

Turkmenistan’s annual textile turnover is 400 million dollars. Efforts are being made to establish the country as a textile and garment producing nation. Investments amounting to 1.6 billion dollars have been made in textile manufacturing units since the country’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Turkmenistan has traditionally been a cotton growing nation. Cotton production forms the basis for the development of its textile industry. So, cotton fiber processing has gone up by 51 per cent. The Turkmen textile and garment industry has the capacity to grow further. The country is investing in infrastructure and innovation to ensure a competitive export position. International retailers and brands are already seeing Turkmenistan as a garment and textile sourcing base.