The 3rd International Garment, Textile & Leather Machinery, Accessories and Fabrics Exhibition - IGATEX Pakistan -about to open at the Karachi Expo Centre from 21 April to 24 April 2004, would be showcasing the latest equipment, technology and services for the Textile and Garment Industry. This exhibition is a joint venture between the Pegasus Consultancy of Pakistan and the CEMS of Singapore and is supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, the Export Promotion Bureau of Pakistan and different associated trade bodies of various industries of the textile and the garment sector. With more than 400 exhibitors from countries such as Austria, China, Germany, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Italy, Korea, Taiwan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, it would be the biggest ever exhibition to be held in Pakistan. 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 events such as IGATEX Pakistan. They provide domestic investors with further ingenuity to improving their existing businesses and at the same time they act as a catalyst to the foreign investors to visit and explore new ideas and markets. The Government on its part is encouraging the local and foreign companies to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of the raw materials and finished goods. It has implemented the Textile Vision 2005, under which various reforms have been initiated with the aim of enabling Pakistan’s textile and garment sector to meet the challenges and opportunities of a quota free future.

“IGATEX Pakistan has evolved into an important regional exhibition as there will be more than 400 exhibitors from 29 countries” said Mr. Aasim Siddiqui, CEO, Pegasus Consultancy during an exclusive interview with PTJ.

We are expecting about 40,000 professional visitors to the third edition of IGATEX Pakistan. More than 400 exhibitors are participating in the show representing 29 countries. We are expecting visitors not only from Pakistan but also from India, Bangladesh and as far as Spain. IGATEX has consolidated into a regional show, something we had aspired for in the past. With more than 10000 Sqm gross space it will be the largest industrial exhibition ever held in Pakistan. Our partners from Singapore CEMS are also delighted with the exponential success of the show in the last few years. They have worked very hard with us to promote this show and to make it a great success it has become. This year, there will be two new halls where textile machinery will be displayed, one of them being a temporary but air-conditioned structure with complete range of facilities for the exhibitors as well as the visitors. A dedicated 2.5 MW power supply will be assured during the exhibition. Compressed air will be provided to those exhibitors with this requirement, courtesy our exhibitor, Rastgar & Co.

IGATEX is a yearly show that can now be compared to textile machinery shows held every two or four years. We have decided to hold a yearly show because of the increasing demand of textile machinery in Pakistan. This show serves quite well the marketing needs of machinery manufacturers. Our industrialists are now keen to install the latest machinery and technology to economically produce the best quality textile products. This positive frame of mind has already started to pay off. The unit price of our textile goods which had been dismally low has started to show signs of increase, indicative of the confidence of the buyers in quality textile products from Pakistan. I am now firmly convinced that Pakistan will play a key part in the post WTO regime.

Interest in the show is such that leading textile manufacturers are cancelling their foreign trips to be able to attend IGATEX. Products of different competing manufacturers will be on display for the industrialists as well as their technicians so that well informed investment decisions are made. We have already sent our personalised emails to over 15,000 key professionals of the textile industry. Daily we are getting requests for passes from the industry for owners, staff and technicians. I have only the very best hopes and expectations for the show for which our entire team has worked exceptionally hard to make it a success