Both the countries will benefit if there is exchange of views with special emphasis on overcoming non-tarrif barriers which is of late becoming a weapon in the hands of developed nations to scuttle free trade, he said. He is in India to attend the 79th World Conference of the Textile Institute in Chennai.

Research on cotton, cotton contamination and development of seeds done by both the countries can also be exchanged, he said adding that in these areas both the nations are facing similar problems. Even though Pakistan productivity of cotton at 500 kgs per hectare is almost double that of India's 290 kgs per hectare, the productivity in both the countries are way below that of countries such as Israel where it is as high as 1,500 kgs per hectare.

Thehigher proportion of irrigated land could be one of the reason for Pakistan's higher productivity but Majeed added that farmers are provided with quality seeds and fertilisers. Weather forecasts and expert advice on various hassles are also given during the cotton season, through local radio stations. In order to ensure that the farmers do not shift to other crops, raw cotton prices have been made in parity with international prices.These, according to Majeed were required as Pakistan is predominantly a cotton economy. Almost 60 per cent of the country's foreign exchange is from cotton textile-related exports and the textile industry accounts for 40 per cent of the country's industrial employment.

Exchange of information in the field of human resource management, technology and teaching faculty would also go a long way in benefiting both the countries, he said.

There is also good scope for putting up joint venture textile projects too, he added. For the current year Pakistan is expected to produce only85 lakh bales of cotton. It is not likely to export raw cotton as domestic consumption is around 90 lakh bales.

The country's effective spinning capacity is about 6.4 million spindles.The weaving and processing industries consume only 50 per cent of the yarn produced and the balance is exported. Pakistan is one of the largest player in the world export markets and exports of yarn are encouraged in form of cheaper export credit. According to Majeed, the National Textile Commission has drawn up plans to ensure that in the next five years Pakistan value-adds its textile exports by switching completely from yarn to cloth. Currently 60 per cent of textile exports is in the form of yarn with the balance split between towels, bed sheets and garments among others.