Pakistan receives 60% less orders in Heimtextil fair

Exporters turned away due to issues arising from power crisis.

FAISALABAD: 2013 has kicked off on a sour note for Pakistan’s textile exporting sector: the volume of export orders received last week in the Heimtextil exhibition in Germany was lower by nearly 60% as compared to last year. 

In a joint statement issued here on Tuesday, Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Chairman Asghar Ali and Vice Chairman Muhammad Asif said that Pakistani textile exporters at the exhibition attracted only lukewarm response from foreign buyers, who were reluctant to place orders because of delays in the materialisation of previous commitments.

Expressing disappointment, Ali said that Heimtextil – the biggest international trade fair for home textiles – has great importance for Pakistani exporters, as retailers around the globe visit the fair to explore new fashion trends and place their orders.

“Pakistani exporters used to receive around $25 million worth of export orders every year in Heimtextil. This year, they received only $3 million worth of orders due to the severe energy shortages plaguing the country and the non fulfilment of previous orders on time.”

Some of the world’s largest departmental stores like Walmart and JCPenney also stock their inventories through this exhibition. “Taking advantage of this situation, china, Indian and Bangladeshi exporters captured our traditional markets through deceptive propaganda that Pakistani exporters could not fulfil export commitments on time even next year due to the energy shortage. These factors were the main cause for hesitation in placing export orders,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.

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