First of all, I would like to thank God, Almighty who blessed us with the strength to contribute for the economic development of Pakistan through organisation of textile exhibitions in Russia in collaboration with "TEXTILEXPO" Moscow and introducing more than 35 textile manufacturers and exporters from Pakistan.
As the events are international, hundreds of buyers from 80 regions of Russia, 15 East European, 6 Central Asian, 12 CIS and 3 Baltic States attend exhibitions organised by Integrated Textiles Network (ITN) group of companies Karachi and TEXTILEXPO, Moscow. Many ventures, partnerships and joint ventures between Pakistani and Russian entrepreneurs find their roots through participation in Federal trade fair for Home textiles. Our events also improve Pakistan's image in RF as an enlightened moderation state. The Minister for Textile Industries Mr Mushtaq Ali Cheema visited the 28 Federal Fair for Home textiles Moscow, in March 2007 and was entirely satisfied with the outcome of the fair.
As ITN organises two textile exhibitions every year in Moscow, it is now widely regarded as 'Pakistan's Number One Event Organisers' in Russia. The international marketing office in Moscow, St.Petersburg and Barnaul the capital of Altai Region in Siberia., strong network of agents, use of modern management techniques and continuous support and encouragement from our partners in Russian and Pakistani business community are some of the factors that has enabled ITN group of companies achieve distinction in performance as is reflected through its phenomenal growth.
TRADE ACTIVITIES:
In June 2004, we started our business activities in RF with zero budgets and no support from Government and private trade bodies/Associations.
We started business by establishing joint venture with "Textilexpo" JSC in June 2004. The aim of this joint venture is to provide exhibition facilities to Pakistani textile exporters in Moscow and St.Petersburg.
Russian Asian Cooperation Centre (RACC): The aim of this joint venture is to promote Pakistani textile products in Russian and CIS markets and to arrange match making meetings between the traders of two countries.
"PAVA-ROS": The aim of this joint venture is to promote Pakistani food products in Russian and CIS markets and to arrange match making meetings between the traders of two countries.
Beside this for export promotion we held meetings and exchange of views with the Moscow CCI, Moscow City Govt; St. Petersburg CCI, St. Petersburg city Govt, Heads of foreign economic relations of Republic of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and Altai Region.
We also Organised meetings between Russian Trade representative of Russian Trade office, Karachi and PHMA, REAP and PTEA ect;
COUNTERPART TRADE BODIES:
The ITN have identified counterpart bodies/organisations in Pakistan with whom we would like the sectoral alliances to be established with their Russian counterpart bodies/organisations. Subsequently we assisted in signing MoU between Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTAE) and Russian Union of Entrepreneurs of Textiles goods & Light Industries(RUETGLI)
IVANOVA CCI:
Pakistan is the 3rd largest textile exporting country in the world where as Russia is the 3rd largest textile importing country in the world after USA & EU. Faisalabad city is the textile hub of Pakistan where as Ivanovo is the textile hub of Russia. These facts are providing tremendous opportunities for the promotion of textiles between the two countries. That's why we visited Ivanova and exchanged views with the President of Ivanova CCI for the promotion of textiles in this city. The President assured to provide us help in all aspects.
BARNAUL CCI:
Siberia comprises the vast territory of Russia and it offers tremendous opportunities for promotion of Pakistani exports goods. Taking this opportunity we visited Barnaul the capital of Altai region of Western Siberia. The President of Barnaul CCI also assured us to extend their cooperation in promotion of Pakistani good in the region.
Subsequently in Barnaul we signed a contract with the 14th largest food importer of Russia "PAVA-ROS". PAVA-ROS is interested to purchase rice from Pakistan through ITN from 3000 to 5000 MT per month and soon we will send the inquiry to REAP.
In September, 2006 we established our office and warehouse in Moscow and representatives in St.Petersburg and Barnaul, Siberia.
Presently we are in process with our partners to provide the facilities to Pakistani exporters to work in Russian market on LC basis or 100% advanced payment.
ENHANCING THE EXPORTS:
With its population of 145 million people and its annual purchasing power of 700 billion dollars, the Russian Federation is a market of great importance. This massive population, together with the neighbouring countries, forms a potential market in the field of Textile and Garments, Therefore in spite of our all efforts we alone can not provide the trade facilities to our exporters, therefore I will request the Govt. and private sector to come forward to work jointly in providing the trade facilities on huge scale and to initiate dialog with Russian Govt. in removing the trade barriers, which are hampering our exports.
During the visit of Minister for Textile Industries Mr Mushtaq Ali Cheema in the 28 Federal Fair for Home textiles Moscow, in March 2007, the R&D cell of ITN informed the Minister that Russia is importing more than 40 textile items worth 20 billion dollars annually, and if due facilities are provided to our exporters from Moc than we can enhance our textile exports up to 500 million dollars annually.
FOR THAT WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING TO THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES, COMMERCE AND TDAP:
1. Establishing of warehouse, display centre and a bank in Moscow.
2. We request to MoC to extend freight subsidy for Russia as this will enable Pak textile to become competitive in Russian Market.
3. Frequent interaction between the members of textiles trade bodies of both the countries.
4. Declare Faisalabad and Ivanovo the twin cities.
I am confident that after taking these measures it will make a breakthrough in enhancing the trade volume between our two countries.
During the last 3 years we have introduce 35 textiles manufacturers and exporters in Russia and Alham-Du-Lillah, most of the exporters are now exporting directly to Russia.
DUE TO DIRECT EXPORT THE TEXTILE EXPORTS TO RUSSIA INCREASES:
a) Cotton fabrics: From 0.148 million dollars to 5.676 million dollars
(Showing a rise of 5.528 million dollars)
b) Bed wear: From 0.181 million dollars to 3.162 million dollars
(Showing a rise of 2.981 million dollars)
Leaps like these, however, don't happen by accident. They happen because our people are there on the ground, deeply involved with companies, regions and cultures. We're there working closely with the companies providing strategic advice and helping them win business.
It is due to our dedicated management and skill workforce for their efforts, which are highly commendable in achieving successes, despite the adverse conditions faced by us. We always stress on our quality services extended to our clients which is the main key of our success in the very competitive global market. At the end, I would like to say, the road that we may have to travel may be somewhat uphill at present but with courage and determination we mean to achieve our objectives in Russian market which is to enhance trade volume more than one billion dollars in next few years. May Allah be with us in our endeavours for the progress and prosperity of our country!!
(The author is the Business Development Manager ITN-Group of Companies.)
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