The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) is urging the government to set up localised garment trading hubs to help boost the country’s apparel exports.
Speaking to just-style today (4 October), chief coordinator for the PRGMEA, Ijaz Khokhar, says the government is mulling setting up two such facilities: one in Dubai and a second in Rotterdam, which the body hopes will act as convenient meeting points for manufacturers and buyers and allow the showcasing of ready-made garments.
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“The government’s main focus is the export of readymade garments or so-called value-adds instead of raw materials,” says Khokhar. “RMG is generating huge foreign exchange – ten times more than raw material exports.”
In July, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported RMG exports grew 11% to US$2.58bn from a year earlier.
In recent years Dubai has become a travel hub, with many travellers stopping over in the emirate en route other destinations.
Khokhar says Dubai would be an ideal first location for a trading house, especially given its close proximity to Pakistan.
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By GlobalData“Buyers that know they will be transitting through Dubai can set up meetings with Pakistani garment manufacturers at the trading hub and conduct business.”
A second facility in Rotterdam is also being considered.
“Our hope is these locations will make business between Pakistani manufacturers and other global buyers more convenient and will ultimately boost exports of our product,” he asserts.
