Pakistan's garment sector receives inquiries for PPE

Industry official urges need for switching production to capture market

SIALKOT: Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Chief Coordinator Ijaz A Khokhar has said that the garment industry is receiving international inquires about production of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Talking to APP on Thursday, he said “it is high time that we switch over our production to PPE to capture the demanding market share”.

The PRGMEA chief coordinator suggested that the government should adopt an aggressive approach and open export of PPE in both non-woven and woven fabric, and in different colours mainly white, light blue and light green. “There was a huge demand for coveralls, gowns for doctors, patients, nurses, cleaning staff uniforms as well as other disposable wearable,” he revealed. “We need to take daring steps at this juncture to capture the market share.”

He was of the view that if the government allowed the export of these products, “we can fetch more than $1 billion easily”. Under the prevailing situation, he stressed, the government should allow duty-free import of raw material to enable exporters to play a vibrant role in capturing a significant share in the global market.

“We are motivating our members to pay attention to this sector as it will open new vistas of industrial development and generate employment opportunities for female industrial workers.”

Khokhar added that more than 800 exporting units of different sectors would soon start operation after thorough inspection by the district administration in the export hub of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2020.

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