June 14, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1424

KARACHI, June 13: Pakistan has imported 590,890 bales of raw cotton during the October-May 2002-03 period and exported 218,350 bales during September-June 2002-03 period, according to the statistics of Karachi Cotton Association (KCA), released here on Friday.

“The import of raw cotton are likely to go up by 10 to 15 per cent this season,” said chairman of KCA, Akbar Hashwani while referring to official statistics of cotton production.

The country has so far produced 10.211 million bales of cotton this season as against 10.613 million bales in the previous season, showing a decline of 3.8 per cent.

“Competitive rates and numerous varieties make the world cotton attractive for Pakistani buyers,” Hashwani said.

Majority of cotton comes from American and African region.

Hashwani said that import of textile machinery and expansion of the mills was another reason that would push the demand for raw cotton by the millers.—APP