The report said that a delegation comprising government high-ups, business leaders and cotton importers will go to Uzbekistan early next month. Commerce Minister Ghulam Mohammed Quader will lead the delegation.

The edition said that the date is not finalised yet, but the Bangladeshi side hopes the delegation will leave for Uzbekistan in the first week of April.

The delegation will discuss with the Uzbek officials whether Bangladesh can directly purchase cotton from their government. At present, Bangladeshi importers purchase cotton from Uzbekistan through European buyers.

Bangladesh purchases 40 percent cotton of its total demand from the Commonwealth Independent Countries (CIS), especially from Uzbekistan.