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Decision on PSI after May 3

Textile industry should

shift to improved skill

in marketing: Habibullah

KARACHI: Minister of State and Chairman Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Mian Habibullah has advised the textile industries to shift their strategic focus from volume growth objectives to developing sales and marketing skills.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar on Sulzer Ruti machines, organised by Noon Brothers (Pvt) Limited at a local hotel here on Monday, Mian Habibullah said that in the new emerging competitive market, the textile sector should improve its quality and upgrade its unit value so that it could compete in the international markets.

"By investing in modern machinery and marketing activities, a company keeps its strong presence in the market place, despite recession, and it will be fully prepared to grow when business environment turns favourable", he added.

Textile Commissioner M Idrees Ahmed in his paper on "Challenges and Role of Pakistan Weaving Sector", said that the developed countries were increasing their dependence on imports of fabrics, while developing countries are strengthening their roles as suppliers to these countries.

He asked the Pakistan textile industry to adopt modern technology, improve productivity, diversify the products and respond to quality standards demanded under ISO-9000.

Director of Textile University Karachi Dr J Burns said that the prosperous future of the textile industry in Pakistan depends upon educating the workforce in new technology. He said, "there is an acute shortage of qualified textile personnel in Pakistan."

The objective of the textile University of Pakistan is to offer professional education in the field of textiles that will facilitate development of the students as future employees and leaders of the textile industry of Pakistan.

Two experts from Sulzer Ruti H Brungger and J Wildhaber presented their products.

After attending the seminar, he said that Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) companies, exporters associations and chambers would submit their reports to Commerce Ministry regarding pre-shipment inspection of exporters before May 3.

"The Commerce Ministry would take a decision after receipt of the report. The two PSI companies ---SGS and Cotecna --- are already involved in issuing a Clean Report of Finding (CRF) to the importers before shipment of the consignment," he said.-APP