New Delhi, Aug 19 (KNN) India today assured Bangladesh that its textile mills would not have any difficulties in sourcing Indian cotton.

The issue cropped at a meeting between visiting Bangladesh Textile Minister Abdul Latif Siddique and India’s Textile Minister K S Rao here.

“In 2013-14 cotton season, I have assured him (Mr Abdul Latif Siddique) that Bangladesh textiles mills would not have any difficulties in sourcing cotton from India,” Rao said at a joint press conference.

He said, the final drafts of the cotton purchase agreement have been exchanged between the countries.

India and Bangladesh account for USD 50 billion of textiles and apparel export to the world.

Even though, India competes with Bangladesh in the global market, New Delhi has granted duty-free, quota-free access of 48 textiles lines of Bangladesh readymade garments to India. It has also simplified testing requirement on Jaamdani sarees and review of marking and labelling for jute bags, cotton yarn etc.

The drafts would act as a major trade facilitation mechanism between the countries. It will also develop partnerships between the textiles, skill-building, fashion and research institutions of both the countries.

Meanwhile, India and Bangladesh produce above 90 per cent of the world production of jute and allied fibres. (KNN/GUNJ)