Provincial Minister for Industry Ch Muhammad Shafiq yesterday inaugurated the ninth International Garment, Textile & Leather Machinery and Accessories exhibition and conference (IGATEX-2016) Pakistan, the largest exhibition of its kind in the region.

This event showcases product from Apparel & Clothing, Plant, Machinery & Equipment, Textile, Fabrics & Yarns, Business Services, Knitting & Stitching industries. The event has introduced high level textile machinery, equipments and accessories.

This particular event would not only introduce newest expertise, improve trade benefits and increase foreign investment through business visits by international delegates. The event will provide business opportunities and add value to exports that would positively impact the economy of the country.

The IGATEX is a benchmark event in entire textile and garments machinery industry with massive influx of industry professionals, manufacturers, researchers, traders and decision makers for their business entities.

Pakistan has become a focal point for investors in region and has gained recognition as an important market among the textile manufacturers. The reason being, IGATEX 2016 will be professionally add value into enhancing the exposure and reach of textile exhibitors and provide them the right platform to display their accessories in order to gain potential business opportunities.

Since its inception in 2002, the event has played a pivotal role in the development of textile industry by introducing efficient machinery to local manufacturers, the minister added.

He said that in order to strengthen the national economy, steps would be taken on a war footing to set up more industries across the Punjab. Industrialists throughout the province would be encouraged and the foreign investors would be provided opportunities to invest in the country.

The exhibition contains the maximum foreign participation, 35 countries, 550 companies, 52000 visitors with extraordinary trading & business engagements across the industry.

IGATEX Pakistan is a 4 day event being held from 20th April to the 23rd April 2016 at the Expo Centre Lahore in Lahore, Pakistan.