Uzbekistan plans to expand capacity of cotton terminals from 372,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes, Uzbek official said on Tuesday.

The Second International Uzbek Cotton Fair opened in Tashkent on 17 October. During two days, Uzbek capital city will be centre of cotton industry. According to organizers, 350 representatives from 32 countries are taking part in the event.

The fair was organized by the Uzbek Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade (MFERIT) at the support of International Cotton Advisory Committee, Cotton Outlook Ltd, (UK-based magazine), Uzpakhtasanoat (Uzbek Cotton Industry) Association and Sifat centre.

The organizers said over 500,000 tonnes of cotton fibre from the yield of 2006 will be traded within the framework of the fair. It also said participants can acquaint with over 1,000 types of Uzbek cotton and transportation routes.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Elyor Ganiev, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade, said Uzbekistan has 21 cotton terminals, which can store u to 372,000 tonnes of cotton simultaneously.

He said that the country is planning to expand capacity of these terminals from 372,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes.

Uzbek minister also said the country has four free waregouses, which can store 48,000 tonnes of cotton.