It is with great pleasure that I announce the commencement of the 3rd International Garment, Textile & Leather Machinery, Accessories & Fabrics Exhibition or as its organisers like to call it - IGATEX - from 21 - 24 April 2004 at the Karachi Expo Centre.
With Pakistan being one of the largest producers of cotton and various related textile and garment products, it is imperative that there is a very strong need for such events as IGATEX Pakistan.
Not only these trade exhibitions bring together professionals and leaders of related industries, but it also provide us - Pakistan - to showcase our talent overseas and ultimately attract foreign investment, which is essential for the development of a country like Pakistan.
In order to meet the above requirement, the Government on its part, has implemented Textile Vision 2005, under which various reforms has been initiated with the aim of enabling the our textile and garment sector to meet the challenges and opportunities of quota free future.
During the last two years, almost Rs 200 Billion has been invested in this sector, out of which millions of rupees were spent on the importation of various types of machinery and components into Pakistan.
By the year 2005 a further Rs233 billion or approximately $US 2.5 Billion is expected to be invested into this sector alone.
This investment opportunity can only come along, if the private and public sector work together with one and the same aim of taking this country onto the highway of progress and prosperity.
The Government is also establishing a Textile City in Karachi, which will enhance our exports by US $2.5 Billion per annum, additionally and generating employment for about 80,000 people.
Textile sector has been declared as a priority sector as Pakistan's 75% exports are based on textiles.
In the end, I would like to congratulate the organisers CEMS and Pegasus Consultancy for putting together this magnificent event and wish them well in all their future endeavours.