The textile industry occupies an important place in Turkmenistan’s economy. Turkmenistan traditionally grows cotton, which serves as a basis for developing the industry. The annual turnover of the textile industry is about $400 million as of 2014. The industry is represented by 74 companies: 32 textile complexes, cotton spinning and weaving factories, 17 garment factories, seven silk industry enterprises, two wool processing and three knitted goods enterprises – as of 2013. Numerous textile enterprises worth over $1.6 billion have been built in Turkmenistan throughout the years of independence.

The major part of the products is exported to the US, Canada, Germany, UK, Russia, Italy, Turkey, China, and Ukraine. Companies like Puma, Walmart, JC Penney and others are among the customers. The operating facilities in Turkmenistan have an annual capacity of 1,77,000 metric tons of different yarn, 186 million square meters of various cotton fabrics, 11,000 metric tons of various kinds of knitted fabrics, 7,200 metric tons of terry fabrics and 80 million pieces of knitwear and garments.

The country now wants to restructure its industry in order to increase manufacturing of competitive products and attract investments. The aim is to develop a strong base and build linkages.