According to a report in Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, low productivity, poor quality, and weak management and marketing skills in the textile and apparel industries urgently need to be addressed by the government.

Competition from other countries is now more of a threat due to the inefficiencies that exist in Pakistan’s textile sector and the World Bank believes that this could have far-reaching implications.

Compared with the benchmark established by China, Pakistan’s per capita productivity is only 37% and improving efficiency in production processes is now considered vital if profits are to increase.

The government’s main objective is to provide relevant consultancy services and technical guidance in relation to garment manufacturing and productivity enhancement methods in order to meet the challenges of the global market.

There have also been reports that overseas consultants from across the world may be drafted in to help to improve existing technology used in the garment industry.

International experts in areas such as dyeing, finishing, knitting, sewing, laundering, industrial engineering, printing, mechanical maintenance, designing and branding could be placed in garment factories all over Pakistan. Ten to twelve factories will initially be selected for trial and the government has suggested it will provide Rs300 million ($30.005 million) in the project.

The textile industry in Pakistan is currently said to constitute around 66% of total exports and 38% of total employment.