Clothing trade growing at faster rate

The clothing trade is growing at a faster rate, stated by Textile Commissioner, Muhammad Idrees Ahmed, here. He pointed out that Pakistan exported textiles worth dollars 6.12 billion and clothing worth dollars 3.03 billion in the year 2004. Idrees was of the view that the post quota scenario has brought both opportunities and threats for Pakistani textile.
He said that Pakistan is blessed by young, educated human capital which is the future of Pakistan.
The Textile Commissioner pointed out that the young and educated professionals in the field of textile engineering, textile marketing, textile management and textile designing are core strength of our local textile industry. He said that designing is the most important aspect in the garment manufacturing and marketing.
Idrees stated that the fashion designing has gained more importance these days as we are moving up in the high value added segment of clothing trade where strong interaction of industry and fashion designers can play a very positive role in establishing market niche of designers products in the global trade.
He stressed that the tie ups with international brands and development of original brands are future requirements. The Textile Commissioner said that the young, enlightened designers production and marketing managers have challenge to help the industry move from low end to mass retail market. He pointed out that the western countries by virtue of their professional skills still dominate in forecasting and shaping future fashion and hence clothing trade.
Idrees said we have to make efforts to integrate the skills of our local designers with international fashion houses who can benefit the intellectual inputs at comparatively much viable cost.
This requires more and more interaction and projecting our skills for which a joint effort has to be made by trade, academia and the government.
The Textile Commissioner was of the view that the recent shift to value added goods within textile sector requires developing capability in design, processing, inventory management; marketing and keeping track of the fashions and changing demand and adapting products to meet this demand on time.
He pointed out that apparel trade is growing at faster rate.
The major trade is in the category such as women wear knit and woven, T-shirts and pullover and hosiery items. Idrees said that the share of women wear is more than 60 percent and in this area our young fashion designers can help industry to make efforts for taking its due share.
He pointed out that the Minister for Textile Industry has already announced for providing free space for fashion investors who invest in ladies fashion wear.