Government invites fresh bids for cotton exports

The government has announced fresh registration for remaining export quota of 2.5 million bales within the overall export quota of 5.5 million bales.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will accept applications for registration of cotton exports for the seven days from 31 December to 6 January.

The government has permitted export of a total 5.5 million bales (of 170 kg each) of cotton in the current season and exports of around three million bales have so far been achieved. While the figure is yet to be ascertained, the DGFT has allowed export of the remaining 2.5 million bales.

While the entire shipment quota of 5.5 million bales was to be completed by 15 December 2010, the Government later decided to give exporters more time to ship the balance cotton.

Applications for export registration can be obtained on-line only at designated e-mail address i.e. `cottonexport@nic.in' from 1200 hours on 31 December 2010 to 1700 hours on 6 January 2011.

Allocation of quota will be made on a pro-rata basis and there will be a ceiling of 1 lakh bales per applicant and a floor of 500 bales per applicant for registration of contracts.