To achieve its target of $50 billion in textile annual exports, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has presented a 41-point policy roadmap.

in collaboration with industry stakeholders.

While textiles have always been Pakistan's economic backbone, recent years exposed limitations. The industry relies heavily on cotton, limiting its global reach in an increasingly diversified market dominated by man-made fibers (MMF).

Recognising this, the roadmap emphasises product diversification, urging rationalisation of import duties on MMF inputs and incentives for MMF manufacturing and value-added production.

The plan also focuses on expanding manufacturing capacity. A key initiative is the establishment of 1,000 new garment plants, aiming to not just increase production but also shift towards higher-value products. This ambitious project, targeting an annual export capacity of over $50 billion, signifies a commitment to growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.

Specialised industrial and export processing zones with plug-and-play facilities are proposed to attract investment and create a growth-conducive ecosystem. Efficient logistics, advanced testing facilities and robust supply chain management are also highlighted as crucial factors in achieving international standards.

The roadmap demands regionally competitive energy tariffs (9 cents/kWh) and transition towards net-zero emissions to comply with upcoming regulations. It proposes allowing B2B power contracts and increasing solar net-metering cap as solutions. Additionally, it also emphasises on fixing the sales tax refund system and reducing inflation to single digits for tackling the industry's liquidity crisis.

Further, the roadmap outlines aggressive export marketing strategies including high-level delegations attending international conferences, networking events, and attracting international brands through incentive packages. It also emphasises on promoting Pakistan as a destination for buying houses and facilitating entry into non-traditional markets like e-commerce.

The Central Government has extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme, which provides financial support to make exports more competitive, until March 31, 2026.

Launched in 2020, RoSCTL compensates for state and central taxes not covered by the existing duty drawback scheme for apparel, garments, and made-ups. This helps make Indian exports more affordable in the international market.

Extension of this scheme ensures a stable policy environment that is crucial for long-term planning in the textile sector. Additionally, the scheme reduces the tax burden on exporters, making their products more competitive globally.

The scheme aligns with the principle of ‘zero-rated exports, where taxes are not exported, creating a fair playing field for Indian exporters.

The extension of the RoSCTL scheme also allows other textile products not covered by the scheme to benefit from the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme.

The extension will boost competitiveness in India's apparel export competitiveness and create jobs in the textile sector.

Global denim giant Isko is branching out with the launch of Casual Line, a new fabric collection that ventures beyond its denim roots. This move aims to attract new customers and offer sustainable, casual-chic options.

The collection utilises a patented woven technology featuring recycled polyester and FSC viscose, making it entirely cotton-free and eco-friendly. It, adheres to the CTRL+Z initiative, using recycled and regenerated fibers.

Going beyond traditional denim weaves and constructions, the collection offers 45 different fabrics in various colors, rigid and stretch variants, for a total of 80 styles.

Offering comfortable alternatives to chinos and sweatshirt-like denim materials, 

Casual Line aims to attract a different consumer segment. The new range will be officially unveiled at Premiere Vision in Paris from February 6-8, 2024.

This move signifies Isko's commitment to innovation and sustainability while expanding its reach beyond the denim market. With its focus on eco-friendly materials and diverse styles, Casual Line has the potential to appeal to a wider audience seeking comfortable and stylish casual wear.

A leader in textile traceability solutions, TextileGenesis is launching two new consortia dedicated to improving transparency in the footwear and leather industries. 

Both these industries have complex and fragmented supply chains that are facing increasing growing pressure for ethical and sustainable practices, making robust traceability crucial, says Amit Gautam, Founder and CEO, TextileGenesis. 

Having a proven track record in fashion, TextileGenesis offers manufacturers and brands a secure, digital platform for sustainable textile traceability. Their pioneering solution uses digital tokens and a network of partners to guarantee authenticity and provenance.

Building on this success, the new consortia aim to encourage information sharing by tracking all materials, footwear and leather companies, boost consumer confidence through transparency and drive positive change through collaboration to enable brands to deliver on sustainability commitments.

For these two consortia, TextileGenesis has assembled key players like Lenzing, Coats, and Fashion for Good, and is working closely with leading fashion brands.