Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Export Associations (PHMA)) has appreciated the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its support to the apparel industry through their project Skills Development and Market Diversification.

During a meeting held here on Wednesday with a view to increasing the production of high value-added textile products in Pakistan, PHMA Chairman Shehzad Azam Khan pointed out that the development of training facilities in the technical training institutes in Lahore and Faisalabad while training of the trainers' activities by the JICA has certainly enhanced the capacity of these training centres.

He stated this during a virtual meeting, arranged by the PHMA and JICA, with a view to promoting understanding between Pakistan and Japanese garment companies. The meeting was also addressed by Ms Michie Ushiroebisu, Uniform Planning Consultant, Mr Kazuaki Yamaguchi, CEO of Creative Clan Co. Ltd and PHMA Secretary Muhammad Ayyub.

Shehzad Azam Khan said that the provision of machinery to these institutes is a welcome step that will go a long way in the improvement of our training facilities. “I also appreciate JICA’s contribution to the establishment of a female-specific training centre in Faisalabad since it has changed the social attitude there for entry of female folk in the apparel industry workforce.”

He asked the participants to take a keen interest in deliberations of the current program, requesting the speakers to impart to the participants the maximum information they possess about the Japanese market. “Today’s online program will help the apparel exporters to understand the mindset and market demands for those who want to enter the Japanese market,” he added. Although they will have to study different mechanisms of the Japanese market and come up with specific requirements and compliance standards but ultimately they will move to the improvement of the quality of products, he added.

The participants of the meeting observed that the JICA Project contributed to addressing the crucial issue of enhancing the competitiveness of the garment industry to meet international requirements of quality, cost and delivery by developing human resources, with a special emphasis on women, who are being equipped with basic production practices of productivity and quality improvement, which would form the basis of market diversification.

They said that Pakistan has an international standing in the textile sector but its export performance of the textile sector has been showing moderate growth, as the country’s full potential has not been explored yet especially in garments.

The key objective of value addition or double the exports would not be possible until and unless the skilled human resource is developed especially in the garment industry along with information on market and product diversification, they added.