Faisalabad is manufacturing hub of popular international textile brands while local businessmen have also introduced their own brands in South Asia which could be internationalized by joint ventures with the collaboration of Italian experts, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain.
During a meeting with a six-member Italian delegation headed by Italian Designer Stella Jean, Zia told that Faisalabad is iconic textile city. However, other segments are also contributing their role in the overall development of this city. He told that Faisalabad is providing 55 percent textile related raw material to Pakistan while its share in total textile export is around 45 percent. He told that Faisalabad has state-of-the-art textile units which are supplying branded items to the American and European Union countries.
Among these brands include Zara, Nexus, American Eagle, Puma and Nikki. Regarding Italian machinery, he told that many local units are using Italian textile machinery. Zia told that a delegation of FCCI is scheduled to visit Spain to participate in international exhibition at Barcelona. He told that another delegation for Italy has also been proposed to have B2B meetings with Italian buyers.
Stella told that Milan Fashion Week is schedule to be held in Sep which will attract large numbers of buyers from all over the world. She hoped that Pakistani exporters will also participate in this event. A representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) told that 90 percent industrial sector of Italy is consisting of SME's.
He told that Italy has a very rich cultural values and its people have successfully combined their cultural values with modern technology to give a new and popular shape to their innovative products. He said that Pakistan should also get benefits from this Italian experience.
Former president of FCCI Engr Rizwan Asharf told that lawn is one of the most popular female summer wear. It is being produced in different designs which are popular not only on Pakistan but throughout South Asian countries.
He told that Pakistani exporters must introduce their own brands at global level with the collaboration of Italian experts. He proposed that Stella should also visit Faisalabad Institute of Textile Fashion Design (FITFD), Khaadi and other leading textile units producing a large variety of female wears.
Sectary General Abid Masood told that Chiniot is known for its handicrafts including carved furniture. He told that Italian delegation should also interact with the office bearers of the Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FWCCI) to promote mutual Cooperation with the female entrepreneurs of the two countries.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) deputy director Fazul Rehman Rao, SVP Mian Tanveer Ahmed, Rana Sikandar Azam, Mian Gulzar Ahmed, Engr Asim Muneer and other executive members of the FCCI were also present during this meeting. Later Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain presented FCCI shield to Stella Jean.