"Having largest production chain with inherent potential for value addition at each stage of processing from cotton to ginning, spinning, fabric, dyeing and finishing made up garments, Pakistan is a growing textile haven. Contributing nearly one fourth of industrial value addition, the industry employs about 40 per cent of labour force, accounting for 8 per cent GDP. Its average share of about 58 per cent in national export, however, despite being the 4th largest producer and 3rd largest consumer of cotton globally, Pakistan’s comparative advantage diminish due to export of low value added textile products."
Having largest production chain with inherent potential for value addition at each stage of processing from cotton to ginning, spinning, fabric, dyeing and finishing made up garments, Pakistan is a growing textile haven. Contributing nearly one fourth of industrial value addition, the industry employs about 40 per cent of labour force, accounting for 8 per cent GDP. Its average share of about 58 per cent in national export, however, despite being the 4th largest producer and 3rd largest consumer of cotton globally, Pakistan’s comparative advantage diminish due to export of low value added textile products.
Though an emerging area of high value addition, technical textile is gaining thrust from the government. There is huge scope for the expansion of functional textile in different segment of textile industries like Home tech, Mobi Tech. Medi tech, Geo Tech and Spo Tech.
Increasing contribution in technical textile
Pakistan’s share in technical textile is little because of the lack technological advancement, which restricted cotton’s presence in home textiles where textile fibrous materials are becoming basic component in bridges, architecture combat vehicle automotive aeroplane medical implant protective wear against bullet shock radiation. World consumption of this sector is increasing rapidly. There is a need to work on Mobi tec, Home tech, Medi tec, Protective tec, through this priority list can enhance export potential while reducing the imports in bulks. Developmental activities in this area will be focussed on new material, new process and new application with economic liberalisation and globalisation.
Befitting policy
In textile policy 2014-19, the government decided to develop a proper strategy for the promotion of technical textiles in the country. For this purpose, exclusive centre of excellence to impart training, develop skills and targeted to share relevant information about world trends in such field like geotech, meditec, spotec would be established. Government is also pursuing the KOICA who has shown interest in establishing a research facility for technical textiles university Faisalabad. The non-woven sector is one of the emerging sub-sectors having considerable share in value-added products to encourage this sector.
In current Textile Policy, the government of Pakistan has taken special initiatives for institutional restructuring and human resource working under the ministry in field of research, textile engineering, international trade matters, negotiation project development project monitoring tariff rationalization and other related matter for enhancing capacity building of the Ministry and its organisations as well. National Textile University will extend its support to provide higher education to fulfill the gap in R&D. The initiative will be done in collaboration with foreign donor agencies and it will also set up a department for textile dyes, pigments finishing to support and chemical manufacturing in the country. Since it requires huge amount of finance, the ministry is approaching for allocation of funds from Export Development Fund, PSDP through PC-I, while donors are also requested to aid in financing.
The Textile Policy initiatives will strive to compliment strengthen support relevant initiatives taken by other federal ministries, provincial government or donors will also strive to avoid any duplication. For skill enhancement, Ministry of Textile Industry will provide technical support for up-gradation of EDF funded textile training institutes to meet International requirements and eliminate skill gap for manufacturing high value added textile and technical textile product. It is estimated that by taking all these steps, technical textile segment will be in a better position to contribute significantly.
