DUSHANBE, July 11, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The head of Tajikistan’s Chamber and Commerce (CCI) Sharif Said told a press conference in Dushanbe on July 11 that Tajikistan has resources and opportunities to develop the cotton sector.

According to him, the CCI is taking efforts to attract investments in development of the light industry; however, the main shortcoming is that only 16-18 percent of the cotton Tajikistan produces is processed into manufactured goods in Tajikistan, while the reminder is exported for manufacturing outside the country.     

He also expressed concern that the whole supply of leather is exported to other countries because there are no leather-processing enterprises in the country.   The similar situation is also in the wool sector, according to him.  

On the rising farm produce prices, the CCI head noted that there is no a definite system of receiving and selling agricultural goods in the country.  “Therefore, during a meeting of the president with entrepreneurs, it was proposed to restore the Tojikmatloubot (consumers’ cooperation) and Nouri Nav shops networks,” the CCI head said.