Pakistan commerce leaders advocate for textile and digital growth

Leaders of Pakistani chambers of commerce are advocating for strategic industrial growth and regional cooperation to bolster the textile sector and broader economic development.

Arif Ehsan Malik, President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), has introduced an agenda focused on digitalizing chamber operations, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and establishing Faisalabad as a textile circular city. His priorities include creating a Special Technology Zone, launching venture capital for startups, and applying artificial intelligence to industrial challenges to address unemployment and economic development.

Separately, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), has called for a joint Asia-Pacific strategy to increase the region's share in the global textile market. Highlighting that the global textile market is projected to grow from US$ 2.12 trillion in 2025 to US$ 4.27 trillion by 2035, Sheikh emphasized that regional cooperation could enhance competitiveness. He noted that Pakistan's textile sector remains a vital economic backbone, accounting for approximately 60% of the country's national exports.