M&S Group mulling enhancing imports of textile products from Pakistan

LAHORE: International fashion retailer Marks & Spencer Group is looking for enhancing imports of textile products from Pakistan, said Unsal Erdogan, Country Manager for Turkey during a meeting with All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

He was heading a delegation consisting of Funda Binoz, Business Area Manager for Menswear, Home ware, Lingerie, Outlets, Buket Ferreira, Merchandiser, and Seher Sbirakmaz, Merchandiser.

Erdogan said the Group will import woven garments, denim, socks, towels, graphic design T-shirts and Polo Shirts etc., from Pakistan. According to him, experts from Marks & Spencer will visit Pakistan in the month of September to interact with APTMA member mills.

Earlier, Chairman APTMA North Zone Hamid Zaman, Senior Vice Chairman Kamran Arshad, Vice Chairman Asad Shafi and Secretary General Raza Baqir welcomed the delegation.

Former Chairman Aamir Fayyaz, Habib Anwar from Saad Textile Mills, Amir Jilani from Interloop Ltd., and Amir Ghaffar from Kamal Ltd. Were also present on the occasion. The delegation members showed interest in knowing about the potential of Pakistan textile industry and its upcoming challenges.

Chairman APTMA North Zone Hamid Zaman invited Marks & Spencer delegation to open their sourcing offices in Pakistan. He said the GSP+ allows access to Pakistani exports to compete with its competitors such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. He expressed the hope that Pakistan would get renewed the facility ahead as well. According to him, the GSP plus opens a window for Pakistani exports to Europe, especially when China is losing market. He said Pakistan was complying with 27 conventions relating to human rights, environment, labor rights, narcotics control, corruption control, gender rights etc. And its compliance with six new conventions will further uplift Pakistan’s image.

Former Chairman APTMA Aamir Fayyaz said the industry has carried out five billion dollars investment during the COVID period. He said there is a huge potential for enhancing exports to $50 billion through setting up more and more stitching units in Pakistan. According to him, the textile industry is enjoying a competitive edge in terms of labor wages, devaluation of local currency and young workforce in the country.

Vice Chairman Asad Shafi made a detailed presentation on the importance of the textile industry in Pakistan. He said the APTMA member mills are 100% compliant corporate entities and performance of industries is strictly monitored by international and national agencies. He said the industry is compliant with International and local sustainability standards like SA 8000, Oeko Tex made for green, Step etc.

Senior Vice Chairman Kamran Arshad said the industry is working out an action plan to invest in pollution-control technologies and move away from fossil fuels besides setting up of effluent and water treatment plants, investment in material innovations and enabling a Green Environment and Socially responsible industry.

Habib Anwar presented vote of thanks at the end of the meeting and expressed the hope that international fashion retailers would benefit from the potential of the textile industry in Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023