PM’s Russia visit must be aimed at enhancing exports: PRGMEA

LAHORE: The garment industry and exporters have stressed that the Prime Minister’s planned visit to Russia, which was postponed due to the Middle East war, will now take place once the situation fully normalizes, adding that whenever the visit is scheduled, it must be fully planned with a clear focus on enhancing Pakistan’s exports and securing tangible trade outcomes.

Former central chairman of PRGMEA, Mubashar Naseer Butt, emphasized that the upcoming visit must not repeat past experiences where trade delegations yielded little practical benefit due to lack of preparation and follow-through.

Mubashar Naseer Butt said that the visit should be thoroughly planned in advance with clear objectives centered on export growth. He stressed that a comprehensive delegation must accompany the Prime Minister, comprising all relevant officials connected to trade and export-related matters, including tariff policy, banking channels, currency mechanisms, and logistics departments. According to him, each institution must complete its groundwork beforehand so that discussions during the visit lead to immediate and implementable decisions.

He further highlighted the need to actively involve Pakistan’s embassy in Moscow, urging diplomatic and trade officials to coordinate with Russian counterparts prior to the visit to ensure meaningful engagements. He said that previous trade visits failed to deliver results largely due to inadequate preparation and lack of coordination among departments, adding that this time a unified and proactive approach is essential.

Mubashar Butt observed that Russia is a strong and stable economy with consumer standards comparable to, and in some sectors even better than, those of the European Union and the United States. He said Russian buyers are willing to pay premium prices for quality products, making it a highly promising market for Pakistan’s garment and textile exports.

Highlighting the importance of fashion exports, he pointed out that Russian consumers have a strong interest in fashion and design.

He urged the government to facilitate Pakistani fashion designers and exporters by speeding up visa processes and encouraging their participation in global platforms such as Moscow Fashion Week.

Currently being held in Moscow from March 14 to 19, Moscow Fashion Week has established itself as a key event on the international fashion calendar. The event features more than 200 brands from countries including China, Spain, Armenia, and Turkey, alongside leading Russian designers. Prominent brands such as Alena Akhmadullina and Ruban are showcasing their collections, while innovative labels including Sasha Barbakov, Master peace, House of Leo, and Unke are also drawing international attention.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026