It is the first time that a Pakistani garment sector body signed an agreement with the overseas stakeholders for strengthening mutual trade of garment and textile. Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and expand cooperation between Pakistan and Chinese textile and apparel companies.

As per the MoU, PRGMEA will provide visa assistance to Chinese companies through invitation letters.

During China Asia Textile Forum 2016 in Shanghai on Monday, the MoU signing ceremony was held. PRGMEA Chief Coordinator Ijaz Khokhar inked the MoU on behalf of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association while China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel was represented by its Chairman Jiang Hui.

Ijaz Khokhar, who was the guest speaker from the Pakistan side also made presentation on Pakistan’ textile and apparel sector on the occasion of China Asia Textile Forum. The forum was attended by major apparel associations and many leading Chinese garment companies.

In the first phase, CCCT delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend Texpo Fair being held for the first time in Pakistan from April 7 to 10. PRGMEA will arrange factory visits for Chinese delegation, and B2B meetings with its members. PRGMEA also plans to arrange a trade delegation to visit China by the end of this year. It is expected that Chinese companies will establish their units at CPEC Economic zones through joint ventures of the local companies, with PRGMEA playing leading role after striking this deal with CCCT.

PRGMEA and CCCT have also agreed to deal with managing business contacts, seminars, business meetings, presentations, exhibitions, fairs holdings and other arrangements to make potential partners and export possibilities available in the two countries.

The PRGMEA and CCCT will assist each other in small and medium size business development, provide technical assistance, search for partners for trade and joint ventures, as well as render other services of interest for business entities of both parties.

In his presentation, PRGMEA chief coordinator Ijaz Khokhar, highlighted the overall situation and development trend of Pakistan’s garment sector and textile industry.

CCCT as part of the Ministry of Commerce is the largest textile and apparel trade agency both in China and the world. CCCT member companies, totaling more than 12,000 and operating in 34 provinces across the country, engage in the production and export and import of textile fibers, yarns, fabrics, clothing, home textiles, industrial textiles and accessories. Its member companies comprise the majority of Chinese textile and apparel enterprises incorporating export and import enterprises, the trade volume of which accounts for 70% of the total export and import volume of Chinese textile and apparel industry as a whole.

Ijaz Khokhar said that China is not a traditional market and can offer a lot of opportunities for Pakistani merchandise. He said that MoU between the PRGMEA and CCCT would go a long way and help Pakistani value-added garments goods to find their way in the Chinese market.