Moreover, comprising of 46 per cent of the total manufacturing sector, it provides employment to 40 per cent of the total labour force....
chatter matter
In almost every society, people have used their attire to define themselves and show others who they are or at least who they want to be. Our clothing is also a representation of our culture and even a way to express ourselves. We can gauge the importance of textiles with the fact that there are 423 textile industries working in Pakistan. Moreover, comprising of 46 per cent of the total manufacturing sector, it provides employment to 40 per cent of the total labour force.
Pakistan has supply base for almost all man-made and natural yarns and fabrics, including cotton, rayon and others. This abundance of raw material is a big advantage for the country due to its beneficial impact on cost and operational lead time. However, this industry took a big hit when the pandemic hit. As it bounces back to its full potential, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) recently organised a soft launch of the first International Virtual Textile Exhibition in Pakistan, TEXPO – Pakistan’s largest and prestigious platform – in Karachi.
The chief guests at the event were Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr Razzak Dawood, Secretary at Ministry of Commerce Mr M. Sualeh Faruqi and Chief Executive at TDAP, Mr Arif Ahmed Khan. The soft launch was attended by the who’s who of the fashion and showbiz worlds including designers and textile giants from renowned Pakistani fashion houses.
TDAP is dedicated to broadening the export base with a technologically driven, forward-looking approach. Their initiative, TEXPO, was conceptualised in 2016. Due to the pandemic and the resultant limitations on physical events, the authority took the mammoth step of digitising the four-day event that hosts foreign delegates from around the world.
The products in focus are high-end fashion apparel, ready-made garments, home textiles, fabrics and pandemic-relevant products like personal protective equipment (PPE) and face coverings. With TDAP’s unfaltering efforts, guests from across the globe attended the event online and local exhibitors showcased their products in virtual stalls.
Mr Razzak Dawood said speaking about TEXPO, “With the support of the local business community and untiring efforts of the TDAP, we have successfully created a platform that caters to convenience of all stakeholders which is no small feat.”
Secretary – Ministry of Commerce, Mr M. Sualeh Ahmed Faruqi said, “Learning from the realities of COVID-19, TDAP has been able to muster international support and garner strength from the all over the country and the best of our exporters who will be participating with full vigour and the best of their products in full form. It will also provide immense opportunity of interaction between international buyers and interested houses to interact with Pakistani companies and the relevant government agencies to aid the process of matchmaking.”
The purpose of this international exhibition is to open doors for the local textile manufacturers, houses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to connect with the international community and foreign buyers and grow together. The past editions of TEXPO have hosted scores of local visitors and foreign delegates resulting in a large number of B2B and B2C connections.
Virtual TEXPO 2021 was live 24 hours for five days to accommodate different time zones of the foreign guests who were attending. A digital reception was also conceptualised to provide technical solutions for attendees and exhibitors.
– A. Jafri
