Russia and Turkmenistan discussed possibilities of selling Turkmenistan’s textile and cotton products on the Russian market during a meeting at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Russian side was represented by Alexander Rybakov, vice president of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegation of Turkmenistan included Berdymurad Redzhepov, Turkmen’s ambassador to Russia as well as representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Textile Industry. The meeting was also attended by heads of various textile enterprises from the two countries

The Russia team was briefed about Turkmenistan’s pace of development of the textile industry and its capacities. Turkmenistan traditionally grows cotton which serves as the basis for developing the country's textile industry. Turkmenistan processes up to 70 percent of cotton grown in the country and produces 119,000 tons of yarn and a wide range of textile products.

A major part of products is exported to the US, Canada, Germany, UK, Russia, Italy, Turkey, China and Ukraine. This year, Turkmenistan plans to harvest 1.05 million tons of cotton from 545 thousand hectares.

Russian side showed interested in importing textile products from Turkmenistan, but due to a large number of barriers and requirements to buyers, it is more beneficial to import these products through European dealers, said the message from Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting participants also discussed the steps which could improve the situation by benefiting both sides.