Cotton Council International (CCI) led a delegation of top U.S. cotton leaders to Karachi and Lahore for COTTON USA™ Leadership Forums, engaging prominent Pakistani textile leaders on key global cotton supply chain issues and the evolving trade dynamics between the U.S. and Pakistan. Pakistan is currently the second largest export market for U.S. raw cotton in the 24/25 marketing year; as of July 17, 2025, U.S. raw cotton fiber sales to Pakistan are 2.4 million bales.
Influential voices from Pakistan’s textile and spinning sectors (including the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA)), U.S. cotton exporters and growers, and global trade experts discussed global cotton market trends, supply chain sustainability and transparency, and innovative technologies shaping cotton’s future.
“Our COTTON USA™ Leadership Forums in Pakistan marked a significant milestone in strengthening U.S.-Pakistan cotton trade relations,” said Will Bettendorf, CCI director of South Asia and supply chain marketing. “The U.S. executive delegation reinforced mutual collaboration with its Pakistani counterparts toward advancing a sustainable cotton supply chain and establishing a robust foundation for enduring, resilient partnerships.”
A series of expert-led panel discussions, tech-driven audience engagement tools and collaborative exercises in these executive-level forums created a high-impact platform to foster the dynamic exchange of ideas and insights between the participants.
Active involvement in the COTTON USA™ forums from Scott Urbom, U.S. Consul General in Karachi, Pakistan, and Kristin K. Hawkins, U.S. Consul General in Lahore, underscored the importance of diplomatic support in facilitating deeper U.S. cotton industry partnerships and shared economic growth with the Pakistani textile industry.
Haroon Ellahi, a leading Pakistani mill owner from the Nagina Group, praised the COTTON USA™ workshops, leadership forums and technical guidance as a transformative force in deepening U.S.-Pakistan cotton trade.
“These initiatives provide invaluable exposure to global best practices and open direct channels with American industry leaders, “ said Ellahi. “Such engagement not only elevates Pakistan’s textile capacity but also positions Pakistan to become the largest consumer of U.S. cotton in the world.
CCI’s role is pivotal in aligning both countries’ interests through collaboration, innovation and trust, a powerful step toward a stronger and robust U.S.-Pakistan relationship.“
Source: COTTON USA