GPCCI, PRGMEA sign MoU

Business Recorder reported that the German-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) and the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to widen ready-made clothing trade between Pakistan and Germany. The pact was agreed at GPCCI's first business networking reception in Sialkot, which the chamber staged with PRGMEA. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal attended and urged the city's exporters to set ambitious goals, adopt modern technology and move toward high-value, internationally recognised brands.

Iqbal argued that exporters bringing in foreign currency merit recognition as national heroes, and he proposed rewards for any firm that becomes the country's first billion-dollar exporter. He highlighted complementary collaboration with Germany in areas such as engineering, technical education and manufacturing. He added that vocational training as practised in Germany might strengthen Pakistan's pool of skilled workers, while German Ambassador Ina Lepel, who is also GPCCI's Patron-in-Chief, spoke by video message about why the GSP+ arrangement still matters for economic relations.

Former federal commerce minister Khurram Dastgir Khan called Germany Pakistan's largest trading partner in the European Union and urged trade bodies to help smaller exporters reach European markets. PRGMEA Chairman (North Zone) Imran Salahuddin said the pact sets up a structure for exchanging commercial and investment details.