Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Advisor on Textile, Ministry of Textile Industry inaugurated 7th Textile Asia 2010, the Int’l Textile and Garment Machinery Show. H.E. Mr. Rida El Farsi, Ambassador of Morocco, Mr. Ishtiaq Baig, Honorary Consul General of Morocco, Mr. V.S. Sidhat Kumar, Consul General of SriLanka, Mr. Abdul Ahad Khaliqyar, Consul General of Afghanistan with foreign delegates were also present at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The 3-day Event was organized by Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan.

The International Textile Asia 2010 International Garment & machinery Exhibition is one of the most promising and enduring event held for the 7th successive year was a official event of the Federal Ministry of Textile Industry. The event was organized at the most opportune time when the government is looking forward to modernize and upgrade the textile sector of the country for better quality products and enhanced productivity. The exhibition aimed to focus on the immense buying selling potential of textile and garment machinery, accessories, raw material supplies, chemicals and allied services under one roof.

 7th Textile Asia 2010 was organized with the support of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Ministry of Textile Industry, Board of Investment (BOI), Government of Sindh, City District Government Karachi (CDGK), China Texmatech Co., China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), Textile Machinery Manufacture and Accessories Association (TEMSAD), Tuyap Fairs & Exhibitions Organization Inc. Turkey, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Pakistan Cotton Fashion Apparel Manf. & Exp. Association (PCFA), All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTMA), Pakistan Knitwear & Sweater Exporters Association (PAKSEA), Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacture & Exporters Association (PRGMEA), Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturing Association, Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association, Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association, Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Commercial Exporters of Towels Association, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and Jamal’s Yellow Pages and other related government departments/bodies. Pakistan Textile Journal was supporting publication as keeping with its past traditions.

Dr. Khursheed Nizam, President Ecommerce Gateway said, “We have succeeded in our aim that Textile Asia should lead to change that can be valued, because our shows have created a sound reputation and we can also share its claim in strengthening our textile and garment industry. We always put all our efforts so that our exhibitions should be able to differentiate their products from their competitors and enhance their business prospects in Pakistan.”

“The show has allowed companies to expand faster, gain access to resources previously unattainable or simply to be more valuable in the eyes of their investors and partners”concluded, Dr. Khursheed Nizam.

Sohail Aziz, Executive Director Ecommerce Gateway, said, “We would encourage the foreign delegates to join hands with their local counterparts and reap the benefits from the opportunities offered by the textile industry of Pakistan and Textile Asia provides that platform for the whole of textile industry of Pakistan.”

The Federal Advisor on Textile, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig appreciated Ecommerce Gateway’s contribution for the development of textile industry of Pakistan in the introducing new technology from the world-renowned machinery manufacturers to this potential market.

Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, said that  exhibitors are returning home with satisfaction, after negotiating sufficient business through Textile Asia. A total business of approximately $30 million has been negotiated in these three days of the exhibition. The event ended successfully and all in all attracted more than 212 foreign delegates and over 40,465 trade/corporate visitors.

Dr Baig said that the success of Textile Asia can be witnessed by the 3-day overwhelming response of the buyers from throughout Pakistan and the sale of millions of dollars worth machineries to the Pakistani investors. The Federal Advisor said that to support investment for upgrading textiles machinery and technology, the government has issued ‘Technology Up-gradation Support’ Order 2010 and has allocated Rs. 40 billion towards various incentives allowed in the new Textile Policy 2009-14 including the opening of export marketing offices and warehouses abroad, 50% reimbursement of 3 foreign staff, 50%payment of one year rental and 50% subsidy for the acquisitions of brands and franchises.

“The investment support shall be provided to existing and new textiles units registered with Ministry of Textile Industry and besides this; several other policies are under development for facilitation of our textile and garment sectors. Sharing the benefits further under the Support he said, for projects exceeding investment of Rs 10 million in machinery or technology, the federal government will pick-up 50% of mark-up subject to a maximum of 5 percentage points pa, whichever is less. For projects with investment in machinery and technology not exceeding Rs 10 million, the federal government may provide grant up to 20% of the capital cost for new plant and machinery only as “Investment Support”. This support will be available to SMEs as defined under the SBP Prudential Regulations for SMEs. The repayment period shall not exceed ten years including grace period as may be allowed by the SBP”, Dr. Baig added.

The 8^th Textile Asia 2011 Int’l Exhibition is scheduled from 03 - 05 April 2011 at Expo Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.