Page 36 - August-September-2017

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Interview

structures are not helping us at all. Mainly the energy that is the only thing which is out there for CEPEC. We
cost, to larger extents as well as now the raw material need to have a better communication. We had a lot of
and lastly the labor costs. This is not the cost that just communication on government to government level
happened in Pakistan but this has happened but he right people need to meet the right people and
everywhere else. In rest of the countries the the government needs to take more initiative in finding
government has really come out and helping the who are these who are ready to go for a joint venture
textile industry. or have Chinese investors coming in or even to go in
china and invest over there as well. So what we need is
TEXtalks: What is efficiency level of industrial more value added and I think Chinese can really be
concerns in Pakistan? How the situation can be helpful on that and with our GST Plus statuses the
improved? Chinese would obviously be more willing to come into
Anees Khawaja: For the efficiency, I personally think Pakistan as well.
that a lot of mills in Pakistan really need to improve
their efficiencies. I think, we are way behind from our TEXtalks: What more roles Government should play
own standards not from the world, but to be more for the betterment of textile sector?
competitive we really need to work hard on that. The Anees Khawaja: There is a long list, from where I see,
government, from the major part, where I disagree with government is just nowhere right now because they
them on their policies but they have given a very come up they make promises they make us clap at
attractive loan policy for a long term. Which a lot of us, whatever they announce for us and ultimately we stand
if possible, should need to avail and try to be more at a place where they are not giving us anything at all.
efficient with regards to being more on an automatic My very strong suggestion to the government, ,
industry where cost can be saved. because this is the right time, that they just need to
implement whatever they promised, and that’s all
TEXtalks: What do you think have most influenced we need.
the textile exports of Pakistan?
Anees Khawaja: As a country, we need more exports. TEXtalks: How do you see such international
What we need is more dollars to come in where we events, as by Cotton USA, for Pakistan
can have a better trade balance and something which textile industry?
can help our country grow as per the targets that we Anees Khawaja: This is a fantastic gathering. I think
have. Ultimately, we are all Pakistani and this is what this Cotton USA platform is something I have a very
we want that our country needs to grow more and thus strong supporter of, for the last many years. I think they
the more exports. have been doing a wonderful job and more
importantly, making us understand that what the
TEXtalks: How do you see the CEPEC having an standards that world is looking at and not just
impact on the textile industry of Pakistan? Pakistan. We need to get out of the shell. When they
Anees Khawaja: Honestly up till now, the general bring in a lot of people from Pakistan, it is a fantastic
impression is that CEPEC is something will probably interaction all across Pakistan as well with
Mahmood Group is a leading manufacturer and for the textile industry with TEXtalks International at going to whitewash the textile industry but I don’t think the members.
exporters of textile around the globe. The company Cotton USA Executive Delegation event Dubai.
encompasses the complete range of operations from
cotton growing, ginning, spinning and weaving to the TEXtalks: What are the main factors for the current
finished apparel. crisis of Pakistan textile industry?
Anees Khawaja: The biggest factor of them all is that
The Director of Mahmood Group– Mr Anees Khawaja the Pakistan textile industry is becoming uncompetitive
shared recent developments, issues and the solutions with regards to the rest of the world where our cost

August/September 2017