$3 billion in export orders expected at Heimtextil show

FRANKFURT:

The ongoing Heimtextil 2024 exhibition has placed Pakistani home textile products at the forefront of global interest as international buyers seem eager to purchase these products.

The Pakistani consulate in Frankfurt expressed its satisfaction at the enthusiastic response, expecting significant export orders for Pakistan. Consul General of Pakistan Zahid Hussain, while emphasizing the central role of the Heimtextil international trade fair, said “every year, a large number of Pakistani companies and visitors participate in this fair. Our consulate is providing full support to ensure that the event is cost-effective for Pakistan.”

Hussain outlined the positive impact of the expanded GSP Plus facility provided by the European Union on Pakistan’s market share in the 27-nation bloc. “Pakistani exhibitors are satisfied and excited with the response. companies are securing export orders not only from Europe but also from outside the continent,” he said.

Despite the rail strike in Germany, Pakistani companies saw a significant influx of buyers to their stalls, indicating international interest and confidence in Pakistani products.

The consul general encouraged exporters to focus on sustainability and environmental compliance to achieve greater success in the European market.

Welcoming the extension of GSP Plus status, he acknowledged the collective efforts of Pakistani diplomats, trade advisers and the government. “The expansion of GSP Plus is encouraging and we are moving in a positive direction,” he asserted.

At the event, All Pakistan Bed Sheet Manufacturers Association former president Arif Ehsan Malik noted the challenges, stating “Pakistan is facing stiff competition from India, China, Bangladesh and Vietnam due to higher costs, especially electricity” .

Reading Pakistan’s textile innovation shines at Heimtextil 2024

Malik stressed that to increase Pakistan’s competitiveness, it was necessary to align electricity tariffs with rival countries.

He emphasized the importance of exploring new markets, particularly in Latin America and African countries, to expand exports of home textile products, and expected export orders of $3 billion in coordination with the Pakistani embassy at the Frankfurt expo.

Orient Textile Mills Director of Sales and Marketing, Wahid Tumbi, pointed to the increased number of buyers and visitors, saying “this is a good opportunity for Pakistan as European buyers prioritize sustainability, which aligns with our focus on organic materials and innovative fibers”.

Tumbi revealed that they had met non-traditional buyers, including Korean customers, which showed the wider interest in Pakistani products. Pakistan’s domestic textile exporters participating in the exhibition are optimistic about the prospects of increased shipments and market expansion in the wake of positive response from the global community.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^u2024.

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