In order to boost exports, Pakistani textile sector needs to focus on production of need-based products catering to international market and global standards, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said. Speaking at the curtain raising ceremony of Macron-2014, an Interational Marketing Congress, the Minister said the textile industry contributes about 65 percent to the country's overall exports, but it still lags behind in understanding global standards and needs of the international market, particularly the Middle East market. The Minister said while in the Middle East one can everywhere see 'Made in India' products, but no 'Made in Pakistan' products. Many textile entrepreneurs offer the same products in international market that they produce for home market. Such lack of awareness and understanding prevents the sector from realizing its full potential.
Hence, in most of the instances, Pakistan's textile sector exports only raw material to the world and imports finished products, he added. This calls for an urgent awareness generation about needs and standards of world market for Pakistani textile entrepreneurs, he said. Mr. Iqbal said Macron 2014, the event being organized by Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) under the theme 'Turning the Tide', would help in building a positive image of Pakistan globally. The event to be held on March 10-11, 2014, would also extend an opportunity to the participants to share and learn from experiences of marketing experts from home and abroad. The Minister added that the Government is focusing on regional development under its Vision 2025, and aims to develop its infrastructure and develop the country as a trade hub in the region catering to Central Asia, South Asia and China.
