Textile and Ready-Made Garment Industry Forum: Shaping a Sustainable Future
The Textile and Ready-Made Garment Industry Forum, organized by the ILO-IFC funded Better Work Pakistan project, has been arranged to coincide with Pakistan TEXPO, organized by the Trade Development Authority bring together key stakeholders to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities in the textile industry.
The forum commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Geir Tonstel, ILO Country Director for Pakistan, and Mr. Zunee Muhtashim, IFC Principal Investment Officer, who expressed their gratitude to all the participants. The distinguished keynote speakers, Mr. Zulfiquar Haider, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development, and Mr. Mudassar Raza Siddiqui, DG (Textile) Ministry of Commerce, shared the government's objectives and plans for the textile industry.
In the session on product diversification, sustainability, and opportunities, esteemed industry experts Fabian Hartwell Trade Policy Advisor, British High Commission Islamabad, CEO of Matrix Sourcing; Majyd Aziz, Regional, UN Global Compact Network; Simon Lepri, Industry Expert; and Mr. Muzzamil Hussain from the National Textile University Faisalabad. Together, they engaged in a meaningful discussion, representing the issues of the textile industry of Pakistan.
The second session focused on the One-ILO Menu of services to the textile and ready-made garments industry. Ms. Caroline Bates, Country Programme Manager, Better Work Pakistan; Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo, Project Manager, International Labor and Environmental Standards Application project, ILO; and Mr. Sohail Naqvi, Head of Fresh Water, WWF, explored various aspects of sustainability and labor standards in the industry.
It was encouraging to have Ms. Lianne Houben, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Netherlands, and representatives from leading textile companies such as Interloop, H&M, and Artistic Milliners. They shared their valuable perspectives on gender equality, barriers to female participation in the workplace, and opportunities for positive change.
Sindh Human Rights Commission shares and extends heartfelt appreciation to all the participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions. Together, we can shape a sustainable future for the textile and ready-made garment industry.
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