Also representing the U.S. cotton industry at the MOU signing was Cotton Council International (CCI) Chairman Gary Taylor, a Memphis, merchant. They were joined by staffers from NCC and from NCC's export promotion arm, CCI. Madam Fang was accompanied on her trip by Madam Li Lin, CCA's director of Public Affairs.
Helms said Cotton Council International will continue to play a key role in expanding export demand for U.S. cotton in the coming year, including even greater activity in China than in 2006. Among CCI's major endeavors in China this past year were: Established a CCI office in Shanghai.
Launched, with help from U.S. exporters, the China Cotton Schools, which helped representatives from 145 Chinese cotton importing companies get a better grasp of the international cotton market's complexities.
Teamed up with Cotton Incorporated to conduct “Cotton – Beyond Your Imagination”, a major promotion initiative targeting consumers in China's major urban areas.
Hosted, along with Cotton Incorporated, the 10th annual Cotton Days, which highlighted the inherent value of cotton through COTTON USA consumer events in China and other key Asian markets.
In addition, Helms led a high level U.S. cotton industry delegation to China in October as part of the China Leadership Exchange Program established by the NCC along with the CCA.
“While we were there, the NCC and CCA agreed to have further industry leadership exchanges anddialogue on future issues,” Helms said.
He said one of those issues is the global threat from synthetic fibers.
“Man-made fibers still represent the greatest challenge to cotton's profitability worldwide,” Helms said, “and enhanced basic consumer preference for cotton products in developing economies, such as China, represents the largest opportunity for demand growth.”
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