Tajikistan aims to boost its textile exports to $3 billion in the future by significantly increasing domestic cotton processing and establishing closed production chains. The country currently, processes only about 30 per cent of the cotton grown in the country, with the remaining 70 per cent being exported as raw material.

According to Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Tajikistan’s textile and cotton fiber exports reached approximately $300 million last year. This figure can be raised by making strategic investment and an increased focused on finished products, he opines.

A cornerstone of Tajikistan's fourth national strategy, this initiative aims to accelerate industrialization and a double overall industrial production within the next five years. A key component of this strategy is the establishment of full-cycle clusters, encompassing every stage from cotton cultivation to the manufacturing of final textile products.

Under the Strategy for the Development of the Textile Industry, adopted two years ago, Tajikistan plans to create over 600,000 new jobs and ensure the complete processing of all locally grown cotton. This integrated approach is expected to transform the country's textile sector, making it a more significant player in the global market. The focus on adding value domestically rather than exporting raw materials is central to Tajikistan's long-term economic growth and job creation efforts.