* Policy to include 10 major initiatives for textile sector

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Trade Policy 2008-09 would include ten major initiatives for enhancing textile exports from the country.

Federal Minister for Textile Industry and Commerce, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar in a written reply submitted to the National Assembly informed that in order to enhance the textile exports, many initiatives were under consideration for inclusion in Trade Policy 2008-09.

He said all stakeholders were being consulted for formulation of trade policy, Trade Policy 2008-09 would include 10 major initiatives i.e. opening initiatives for minimisation of contamination in cotton.

Major new initiatives to include, hiring of technologists from abroad, like Society of Dyers and Coloration London. Payment for services of local and foreigner fashion designers, support for opening of export offices abroad by renowned textile manufacturers.

It included technology up gradation support for import of machinery and equipments and support for undertaking benchmarking studies of Pakistani textile manufacturing units. Training of middle management in textile sector, financial support for establishment of retail outlets abroad with own brands.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) would formulate delegations of textile sector for United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Canada, Ukraine and Italy. TDAP would also organize participation in international textile fairs.

He also informed Textile Industry Ministry was also taking initiatives to improve textile exports, including the launching of a well-organised Human Resource Development Programme (HRDP). This would involve hiring international consultants to fill the shortage of textile graduates at all sector levels — from ginning to garments.

To fill the shortage of textile trained shop floor manpower in the textile chain especially skill development plan. To establish world-class training institutes and up grade existing ones to develop know how for synthetic spinning, weaving, processing, dying and finishing.

Encourage production of organic cotton and ensure cultivation of BT cotton and removal of impediments in this regard.

Attract investment in common energy generation, distribution, facilities and augmentation of energy conservation programme.

To attain economies of scale in textile sector, provide incentives to weaving sector and encourage becoming formal one to enhance its productivity by introducing and installation of modern machinery.

To establish world class accredited labs to check colours and final products. To provide market and product diversification especially in garment exports and support to this sector for making it cost effective.

To establish brand names abroad by encouraging local textile entrepreneurs to establish cotton where houses in Pakistan.

Initiatives are also underway to establish integrated supply chain and warehouses besides availability of skill manpower by establishing labor technical training facilities. Development of chemicals, trims and accessories industry on international standards, helping industry by devising ways and means to check wastage in the mills and factories, so that the losses may be controlled.

Strengthening of cotton and synthetic research institutions in the country, interaction with international companies and establishments of joint ventures.

Technology up-gradation right from ginning to garment sector to make them most productive and cost effective by introducing modern and latest machinery and techniques. To enhance coordination among federal, provincial and donor agencies and stakeholders for infrastructure development and human resource development and supply of good quality raw materials.

The house was also informed, in written reply, that MINTEX is also establishing garment cities at Faisalabad, Lahore and Karachi and one at Multan which are at advance stage.

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