Memphis, currently the 9th largest market in the U.S. was toured by twelve textile executives from Pakistan, who is one of the world’s leading importers of their cotton on Tuesday and Wednesday to learn more about cotton production and marketing in the U.S.

The National Cotton Council in Memphis is making sure that their vital cotton crop is not only relevant at home, but overseas, as well. In the mid south, cotton is king.

Sean Callanan, Manager of Global Operations for Cotton Council International said that they are a fast growing market for textile manufacturing and it's been up as high as 6 or 7 the last several years.

They strongly feel that they produce by far and away the best cotton in the world and so it demands a premium price. Part of justifying that price is educating their customer about why they should value it that way, said Callanan.

The Cotton Council is hoping the educational trip will translate into better business with their partners abroad.

The two-day stop in Memphis is just part of a tour of the entire U.S. Cotton Belt. The group is also going to be traveling to Texas and California later this week before heading back to Pakistan on Saturday.

Yasin Siddik of Premium Textile Mills in Pakistan who is on the tour said that if they have any questions about the cotton they want to buy they can communicate with technicians directly which is a very big advantage for them.

For executives on the trip, this experience will help to strengthen not only business, but personal relationships.