KARACHI: The IGATEX exhibition opened at Karachi Expo Centre on Wednesday with the participation of over 500 exhibitors from 30 countries.
A large number of trade delegates from all parts of the world converged on the largest exhibition of textile and garment machinery exhibition in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Textile Mushtaq Cheema was pleased to see IGATEX Pakistan 2006 serving as an interactive platform for both the local and international exhibitors.
He praised the participation of all countries, particularly China and Turkey, which have remarkable presence in the exhibition halls at the IGATEX 2006.
He said that exhibition like these are the best trade tool to bring buyers and sellers on one platform for international competition.
He was speaking to a panel of local and foreign associations at a Roundtable Conference, being held for the first time at IGATEX. Under the title of ?he Role Of Technology In the Development Of the Textile Industry In Pakistan & South Asia in the context of WTO environment,?the session was well attended by representatives from foreign and local trade bodies along with mediapersons.
Speaking at the session, Mr Cheema said that Pakistan is rising up to the challenges of international markets and the standards of quality will be maintained. In response to a question, he assured that the government is taking measures to enhance the skills of technicians so that technology upgradation is expedited to compete at the international level.
Foreign trade representatives shared their views on textile scenario in the world in general and in Pakistan in particular.
Heinrich Truetzschler from the German Engineering Federation VDMA pointed out that Pakistan is among the four most important textile countries in the world.
Gianluigi Sora from the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers ACIMIT highlighted that the two most important pillars of success in this industry are skilled people and technology update and that Pakistan should pace ahead in this sphere to gain optimum results to match the potential of its textile industry.
KCCI Chairman Haroon Farooqui and representatives from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and London Chamber of Conference also visited the IGATEX 2006.
A reception was arranged for the exhibitors later in the evening where Adil Siddiqui, Sindh Minister for Commerce and Industries, was the chief guest.
