Enhancing Pak textile exports 'JICA will start new programme from February 2016'

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will start a new programme to enhance export of Pakistani textile products from February 2016, while a joint website of JICA and TDAP has also been launched to provide credible information about Japanese markets to the Pakistani exporters. This was stated by JICA Advisor to TDAP and head of Japanese delegation, Hideaki Shimizu while addressing FCCI members, here on Wednesday.
Shimizu said that Japanese buyers have their own standards. They are very conscious of quality and hence the importers have to follow their trends. He said that Pakistan-Japan Textile Day was recently observed in Lahore which was also attended by the Japanese importers. He mentioned they had very productive meetings with local exporters. Responding to a question, he stated that Pakistan and Japan should have a free trade agreement for which the Pakistani exporters have to create pressure on the government. He said that Pakistani export consignments take 17 days to reach Japan through sea and this duration should also be reduced by promoting fast movement of import and export consignments.
Earlier, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Chaudahry Muhammad Nawaz welcomed the Japanese delegates while Vice President FCCI Jameel Ahmed identified some basic issues hampering bilateral trade. He said that FCCI fully understand the importance of bilateral trade and it is dire need to sign MOU with leading chambers of Japan. He also stressed upon the need for exchange of bilateral trade delegations in addition holding single country exhibitions in each other country. Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, Senior Vice President FCCI said that the business men of Faisalabad are dealing with the importers of America and European Union but they have to face extra conditions of laboratory test etc.