The All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) would launch a new initiative from January 1, 2014, to improve the image of Pakistan’s textiles around the world. The aim is to double the industry’s exports to $26 billion over the next three to four years in the wake of free market access from the European Union. APTMA has decided to adopt the triple bottom line concept –a corporate social responsibility strategy that focuses on people, planet and profits – as a part of its social corporate responsibility program to launch a soft image of Pakistan globally. 

APTMA is engaging all its members to ensure the welfare of its workers including health, safety and education of their children. It has already established a sustainability cell that ensures efficient use of energy and conservation of water. Mills are being asked to ensure that they treat and conserve water to protect the environment.

In time APTMA will encourage the entire textile chain to adopt the triple bottom line concept. There would be textile shows in the United States and the European Union to promote Pakistani textile products and a soft image of the country.

For the first time in three years, textile mill owners have seen their concerns about supply of power and energy adequately addressed and 90 per cent of the textile mills are operating at full capacity.