The All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has announced an impressive 10.44% growth in the country’s textile and apparel exports, totaling $6.146 billion during the first four months of fiscal year 2024-25 (July-October 2024). This achievement highlights the sector’s resilience, adaptability, and competitiveness in the face of global economic challenges.
Key Export Categories Driving Growth
Several key segments have contributed to this surge in exports, demonstrating the sector’s strong performance. Knitwear exports saw a robust 18.69% year-on-year increase, reaching $1.76 billion. Non-knit readymade garments outperformed other categories with an impressive 25.40% growth, totaling $1.36 billion. Bedwear also experienced significant gains, with a 13.17% rise that brought exports to $1.07 billion. Additionally, cotton fabric exports increased by 5.25%, amounting to $679.43 million. These gains reflect the industry’s ability to adapt to shifting global demand while consistently delivering high-quality products.
Mixed Import Trends
Despite the export surge, import trends present a mixed picture, revealing both challenges and opportunities for the sector. Imports of synthetic fibers declined by 23.07% year-on-year, totaling $138.82 million. This drop indicates a shift toward either greater domestic production or reduced reliance on synthetic materials due to changing market preferences and production techniques. Industry insiders suggest that the decline may also reflect a strategic focus on optimizing costs by sourcing alternatives locally.
Conversely, imports of textile machinery saw a significant increase of 42.34% in October 2024, totaling $66.67 million. This surge highlights the industry’s commitment to modernization and technological upgrades. Many textile manufacturers are investing in state-of-the-art machinery to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. These investments are expected to strengthen Pakistan’s export performance over the long term by making the industry more competitive on a global scale.
The mixed nature of import trends underscores the importance of strategic investment. While reduced synthetic fiber imports could indicate progress toward self-sufficiency, the rise in machinery imports reflects forward-looking efforts to modernize and remain competitive. Experts believe that sustained growth in exports will depend on the industry’s ability to balance cost-effective production with ongoing technological advancement.
APTMA’s Strategic Focus
APTMA remains committed to fostering growth and sustaining this positive export trajectory. The association is working closely with industry stakeholders to promote innovation, improve quality standards, and expand into new markets. The recent surge in exports reflects the success of these efforts, but APTMA’s leadership acknowledges that sustained investment in infrastructure and modernization will be critical in maintaining momentum.
As Pakistan’s textile sector positions itself to become a more dominant global player, APTMA is focused on advocating for policies that ensure long-term growth and economic stability. With ongoing investments and market diversification, the industry is poised for continued success.