KARACHI, Oct 2: Cotton import by local textile mills has touched 1.108m bales during the year 2002-03 to meet their requirement for long and extra-long staple cotton for producing higher count and textile made-ups.

This was stated by outgoing chairman of Karachi Cotton Association Akbarali Hashwani at the 71st ordinary general meeting. He said cotton export touched 322,665 bales during the same period.

Mr Hashwani said cotton consumption of textile mills increased from 10.3 million bales to 11.4 million bales during 2002-03 following modernization and installation of new spindles.

He suggested the government to increase the cotton production target at a minimum of 15 million bales by raising yield and acreage keeping in view the rise in domestic consumption and demand in the international market.

He pointed out that the KCA in principle had agreed to adopt the cotton season from September-August to August-July on the recommendation of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and in conformity with the decision of the government.—APP