The Hindu Business Line : Mumbai to host 2-day cotton meet

FIRST MEET: (From left) Mr O.P. Agarwal, Executive Director, East India Cotton Association, with Mr K.F. Jhunjhunwala, President, East India Cotton Association, and Mr Ray Butler, Editor, Cotton Outlook, UK, at a press conference to announce details of the first international conference on cotton to be held in Mumbai. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai March 13 Buoyed by a bumper cotton production estimate of 270 lakh bales for 2006-07 and increasing global demand, the East India Cotton Corporation and the UK-based cotton trade magazine Cotton Outlook are organising a two-day international cotton conference in Mumbai to connect domestic manufacturers, exporters and importers.

Starting March 15, the conference will be attended by 500 delegates from 17 countries, including China and the US. "India is gaining prominence in world cotton market. India is expected to produce 27 million bales (of 170 kg each) against 24 million bales in 2005-06. Exports may jump to 5 million bales (of 170 kg each) in 2006-07 against 4.70 million bales in 2005-06," said Mr K.F. Jhunjhunwala, president, East India Cotton Association.

Cotton yield has increased from 467 kg per hectare in 2005-06 to 500 kg per hectare in 2006-07. "The conference would be an ideal opportunity for exporters and importers to meet and take the trade forward," said Mr Ray Butler, Managing Director of Cotton Outlook.