The International Cotton Association (ICA), Liverpool, is exploring the possibilities to introduce a new mediation process to settle disputes in international cotton trade, according to Mohit D. Shah, President of the association. Mr. Shah told The Hindu here on Tuesday that “I am hopeful this method should be available soon.” Though disputes in cotton trade have come down in recent years, mediation would be an alternative dispute redressal mechanism. Those who do not want to go in for arbitration would be able to settle the dispute through this mechanism. The association was also trying to increase its engagement in every market globally with the local associations to have more trainings and awareness on contracts and rules.
In an effort to promote cotton in the domestic market, the Cotton Association of India will launch within a month a Cotton Promotion Programme, according to Dhiren N. Sheth, President of the association. It would look at creating awareness about cotton among the end-users. Further, the association was looking at increasing cotton sampling to 5 per cent from 2 per cent. The U.S. had 100 per cent sampling and testing and countries such as China and Uzbekistan were also moving towards it, he said.
