Textile sector: Exporters question TDAP, JICA role in finding new markets

Orders from European buyers have slowed down ahead of GSP status review

LAHORE: Stakeholders of the textile industry have expressed concern over the role played by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in finding new markets for Pakistani products.

They said failure to find new markets would further dent export revenues which were falling consistently over the past few years as the number of international orders fell because Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status was going to be revised in January next year.



“There is neck-and-neck competition in European markets and Pakistan’s exporters need new markets throughout the globe for sustaining their businesses; unfortunately both bodies (TDAP and Jica) are not playing their crucial role,” said Ijaz Khokhar, former chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, on Tuesday.

He said textile manufacturers needed assistance in product diversification and were exploring those markets which may change the entire area of focus for them like Australia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“We got excellent help from Jica in terms of technical assistance both in manufacturing and training of human resources, but as far as their marketing department is concerned, it is a total failure,” Khokhar claimed, adding it was happening due to lack of knowledge.

“How can Pakistan’s exporters believe the claims of finding new markets from the Japanese body when investors of that country avoid travelling to Pakistan due to bad perception or lack of overall marketing?”

TDAP and Jica jointly organised a workshop on apparel exports, brand and design development in which key stakeholders participated. Jica has been implementing the Skill Development and Market Diversification Project in the garment industry of Pakistan since 2016 and it will continue till 2020.

“Pakistan does have security issues which, despite significant improvements, still persist,” Jica Market Analyst Hideaki Shimizu said, adding business practices of local exporters also did not match international standards.

“Many a time, the exporters ship half of the consignment due to different reasons which hurts the country’s credibility,” Shimizu said, adding such hurdles were the reason why Pakistan’s share in global textile market was just 0.3%.

He suggested that brand creation was the key to success in global markets. “Pakistanis do have the creativity to design good products, but they do not match global standards, this is the major area that needs to be focused,” he added.



TDAP Director Zia Ahmad said there was difference between marketing a product and selling it. “If exporters want us to sell their product in international markets, we cannot do that as it is not our or Jica’s mandate,” Ahmad said.

He, however, said the stakeholders should discuss their reservations first and specify the type of help required. “Once we receive the queries of exporters, only then we will be able to contact Jica and develop a programme which will address their concerns.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2017.

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