Two home cities of textiles to visit, several top textile producers and associations to meet, and a number of cooperation agreements to sign – an intensive week-long business tour of the Tajikistan textile delegation to Pakistan is aimed at establishing numerous business contacts, learning best practices and experiences, and launching ambitious collaborations, according to International Trade Center (ITC) Office in Tajikistan.

A delegation consisting of managers and representatives from 13 textile and clothing (T&C) companies, two consulting companies, two universities, as well as the Union of Private Sector Development and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan is visiting Lahore and Faisalabad during a business study tour that takes place from March 9 to 16, 2019.

This is the first time ever Tajik T&C companies have such a tour to Pakistan, which is among top 10 textile producers in the world.

The study tour was organized with the support of the Government of Switzerland through the International Trade Center (ITC)’s Global Textiles and Clothing Program (GTEX) in close cooperation with the USAID project, Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA).

The main objectives of the study tour are in gaining exposure to the textile value chain in Pakistan, including the use of technology, manufacturing practices, establishing business contacts and exploring the possibility of sourcing materials and retail environments.  In addition, the delegation is expected to establish linkages with sector associations, T&C training institutes and universities for future collaboration.

In particular, as part of the tour the Tajik delegation visits such companies as Nishat Group, Sapphire Group, Style Textile, Shakam, Sadaqat Textiles, Imrahim Group, Masood Textile, Sitara Group, and others to get acquainted with their technology and manufacturing processes.  This is a unique opportunity for the companies to learn best practices and establish business contacts with the main sector players of Pakistan.

During the study tour, the participants are also going to discuss the possibility of establishing partnerships and exchange programs between Tajik and Pakistani educational institutions that train specialists for the T&C industry.  The Khujand Polytechnic Institute of Tajik Technical University, Technological University of Tajikistan intends to sign memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design in Lahore and the Faisalabad National Textile University.  During visits to both of the Pakistani institutes, the educational process of future textile specialists will be introduced to Tajik academia and textile sector representatives.

It is also planned to establish contacts and build a network between Tajik and Pakistani sectoral associations and unions as well as business service providers working in the T&C industry.  All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association, and the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association will introduce Tajik delegation to the textile industry of Pakistan, its strength and capacities, as well as cooperation opportunities the Pakistani textile industry can offer Tajikistan.  The Union of Private Sector Development of Tajikistan plans to sign MOUs with a number of Pakistani associations.

Finally, the delegation plans to visit logistics centres in order to learn conditions for further consideration of import/export operations as well as retail outlets in Lahore and Faisalabad to learn how brand stores offer their products to public clients and establish interaction with them. 

The International Trade Center, supported by the Government of Switzerland, aims to increase the export competitiveness of the Tajik T&C sector by supporting sector companies and relevant trade support institutions.