A delegation of Italian businessmen including President Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACMIT) to visit Pakistan from 4 to 7 December. The delegation during its stay will visit Lahore and Islamabad. This was disclosed by Ijaz A Khokhar, Central Chairman Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA).

The Italian delegation will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACMIT) for mutual cooperation to enhance trade and investment.

Ijaz further stated that the proposed MoU will be supportive in getting a partner in Italy, help in exchange of technology and facilitate in business development in Italy and strengthening business cooperation between Pakistan and Italy. PRGMEA chairman said that Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Turkey will open new venues of business opportunities especially for textile and leather sectors.

The Turkish garment sector was producing highly advance products and FTA will provide an opportunity to Pakistani garment sector to gain the experience of Turkish firms in further improving their products. Ijaz said that PRGMEA was making adequate efforts for developing close contacts with Turkish associations.

PRGMEA was taking revolutionary steps for tracking the industry modern production lines enabling it to compete with international market easily. PRGMEA will be also taking drastic steps for the promotion of entrepreneurship and female and male students of fashion designing institutes would be trained under this programme.

Ijaz further revealed that necessary arrangements are being finalized for setting up state of the art Pakistan Readymade Technical Training Institute costing over Rs 125 million and development work on institute will soon be carried out.

Pakistan Readymade Technical Training Institute after regular functioning will help the exporters engaged with readymade garments industry to induct trained workforce to improve the overall productivity and quality of the product.

There are wide and bright chances of increase in textile products, Ijaz suggested that federal government should prepare marketing plan with the active consultation of trade bodies including PRGMEA for capturing traditional and non traditional markets too.