Textile millers target global brand expansion

Aptma, working with the Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP), held its first Manufacturing Retail Working Session, which brought local retail labels and textile makers together. According to The Express Tribune, the meeting focused on tighter domestic sourcing, competitive product design and a route for Pakistani labels to reach overseas markets.

Aptma's wider goal is to add $3 billion to textile exports inside a year and $10 billion in the years after that. The plan relies on more value addition, closer industrial cooperation and overseas growth for Pakistani labels.

Aptma Chairman Asad Shafi said homegrown brands already lead organised fashion retail in Pakistan, reflecting local design skill and understanding of consumers. He argued that the next step is to take these brands abroad rather than only making goods for foreign labels. Shafi added that more than 80% of exports are now value-added consumer goods such as apparel and home textiles, yet the country must capture a larger share of value beyond manufacturing.