Garment, textile machinery, accessories: expo opens in Lahore

Business Recorder reported that the country's biggest exhibition covering garments, textile machinery and accessories opened in Lahore on Thursday, with more than 550 firms from 30 nations on display. Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain inaugurated the four-day event at the Expo Centre in Johar Town. The show runs until October 18.

During a tour of the stalls, the minister said such fairs help lift business activity and strengthen business-to-business linkages, while describing textiles as vital to the economy and job creation. He pointed to the Garment City at Quaid-e-Azam Business Park in Sheikhupura as a provincial step to support the sector. He also said work with China on cotton seed development is under way to raise cotton output.

He added that six of the investment agreements with Chinese firms are being implemented, and that several two-wheeler electric vehicle units have been set up in Punjab with more plants to follow. Lithium battery factories are also being established, he noted. He said 20 megawatt hydropower schemes could be developed along the province's canals, which could help ease electricity costs.