KARACHI: On Wednesday, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said he was confident that the nation’s leather and textile industries will become more robust, stronger, and globally competitive as a result of concerted efforts by the public and private sectors.
The minister emphasized the importance of the fifth International Textiles and Leather Flagship Exhibition (Texpo), which will take place from October 23 to 25, while speaking as the main guest at the opening ceremony of the event at the Expo Centre in Karachi.
The digital inauguration of Texpo 2024 was conducted by the minister, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Kareem Kundi, and Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
According to Mr. Khan, “this exhibition offers a fantastic opportunity to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, ensuring mutual growth and success for all stakeholders.”
He highlighted initiatives to support value addition and product diversification in the areas of leather accessories, sports and high-end footwear, technical fabrics, performance wear, and non-cotton clothing. He emphasized the significance of adopting sustainable resources and a circular economy.
“We are developing high-end products for global markets and improving design capabilities by substituting 3D prototypes for physical samples,” he said.
The minister also described how the Export Development Fund (EDF), which offers financial support in areas like marketing, infrastructure development, trade promotion, skill development, and compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, is one way the Ministry of Commerce supports businesses.
The minister was upbeat about the future of Pakistan’s leather and textile industries, citing innovation, sustainability, and digitization as important foundations. In order to establish the nation as a leader in sustainable production, he also emphasized the use of environmentally friendly practices and investments in cutting-edge technologies.
He declared, “Pakistan is at the forefront of digital transformation in supply chains and e-commerce, unlocking new opportunities for growth.” The nation also wants to establish standards for ethical labor practices and ecologically conscious manufacturing.
