Page 33 - February-March-2020

32
24
National Consultation on compliance and

coordination of the EU granted GSP+ Scheme
Textile exports post 4.10%

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research rights and also guide the EU to have realistic expec-
growth in four months, cross
(PILER) organised a National Consultation on tations given the challenges on the ground. Com-
compliance and coordination of the GSP+ Scheme merce Minister thanked the EU for granting the
ongoing since January 2014. The objectives were to GSP+ which has immensely helped export sector to
explore channels for improved coordination for grow despite economic difficulties.
$4,586 billion mark
follow-up on rights treaties in GSP+, to provide
platform to government to showcase their work on Razak said, “We are working in all 27 conventions
GSP+ and to share recommendations nationally with given by European Union after signing the General-
all stakeholders. ized Schemes of Preference (GSP Plus), including 7
conventions related to labor condition in the country”.
Textile group exports from the country during the
He added that in the last six months, Pakistan’s
Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Industries exports included cotton yarn decreased by 2.14
first four months (July-October) of current financial
and Investment Mr. Abdul Razaq Dawood, Parliamen- per cent, cotton cloth by 4.83 per cent, tents,
exports in value addition notably increased as
year increased by 4.10% as compared to the
tary Secretary Human Rights Mr. Lal Chand Malhi canvas and tarpulin by 1.58 per cent.
compared to past years. He said after signing the
exports of the corresponding period of last year.
(MNA) and EU Ambassador to Pakistan H. E. Mrs GSP-Plus in 2013, local exports to the EU countries
Androulla Kaminara as well as Country Director ILO During the period from July-October, 2019, the
rose by 51 percent and 41 percent in value.
Meanwhile, textile sector exports witnessed about
Ms. Ingrid Christensen addressed the gathering country exported about 40,246 thousand dozen of
7.44% growth in the month of October, against the
While addressing the gathering Ambassador delega-
comprising stakeholders from the government, the knit wear valuing US $1.054 billion against the
exports of same month last year, according to the
tion of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, Ms
industry and the trade Unions. exports of 37,790 thousand dozen worth of US
latest data of advance releases on foreign trade $962.862 million in the same period last year, which
Androulla Kaminara said that Pakistan had performed
statistics, released by the Pakistan Bureau of
Executive Director PILER Mr. Karamat Ali welcomed was up by 9.49 per cent.
very well for achieving the implementation of 27
Statistics.
the participants and stated that inputs from the convention of EU GSP-Plus. She added that EU
preference respect global rules, environment, good
consultation will help guide government actions During the period under review, 172,547 metric
During the period from July-October, 2019-20,
governance, gender equality for sustainable growth.
towards better compliance on human and labour tons of bed wear worth US $817.665 million were
textile products worth over US $4.586 billion also exported as compared to the exports of
exported against the exports of US $4.406 billion of 144,574 metric tons valuing US $773.447 million in
the same period last year, showing an increase of the same period last year. The exports of above
H&M and IKEA alliance to keep recycled textiles free
4.10 percent. product witnessed 5.72 per cent growth in the first
four months of current financial year.
from toxic chemicals
On month on month basis, textile products over US
$1.214 billion exported in month of October, as Meanwhile, 58,030 metric tons of towels worth US
compared to the exports of US $1.130 billion of the $251.647 million were also exported as compared
Due to sustainability culture in the fashion industry, Biverstål said that 8,000 tests are performed on
to the exports of 60,041 metric tons valuing US
same month last year. During the period under
two leading brands H&M and IKEA declared to different collected recycled textiles and both
review, exports of readymade garments grew by 12
$249.651 million in the same period last year. From
work in partnership about the study on toxic groups try to develop an action plan for using toxic
per cent, knitwear 9.49 per cent, bed wear 5.72 per
July-October, country fetched $906.663 million by
chemicals used in textile recycling. According to chemical-free recycled textile products, without
exporting about 19,954 thousand dozen of ready
cent, towels 0.80 per cent, art, silk and synthetic
this partnership, both brands agree to direct compromising on the safety standards.
made garments, which were recorded at 15,119
textile increased by 9.46 per cent respectively.
companies about not to use toxic chemicals. thousand dozen worth US $809.520 million in the
corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, exports of raw cotton from the country The aim of the study is to encourage the supplier
The conference on sustainability in textile 2019, industry regarding the use of recycled textiles and
during the period under review increased by 0.78
companies and organizations gathered to give a However, exports of raw cotton from the country
set standards and rules about the use of chemicals
per cent, cotton carded or combed 100 per cent
solution regarding the current challenge. H&M came down from US $392.948 million in the first
in the recycling of textiles.
and yarn other then cotton yarn grew by 21.24 per
member Anna Biverstål, manager Global business four months of last financial year to US $384.553
cent respectively, the data revealed.
Linn Farhadi said that the purpose of this study was
Expert, and Nils Mansson, member of IKEA brand, million in the same period of current financial year.
to give awareness about the use of recycling
shared their preliminary findings with the industry. The exports during the period increased from US
However, in the last four months of the current
materials and keep in mind these toxic chemicals
The use of recycled materials in textile industry $7.270 billion during last year to US $7.547 billion
financial year, the exports of textile products which
during the current fiscal year, showing growth of
plays a vital role in increasing economy, but most while using recycled materials. Collaborations and
observed negative growth in their respective
3.81 per cent.
concerning is the use of toxic materials in the data sharing within and across industries are key to
recycle materials, H&M and IKEA are delighted to enable real, positive change. This joint study
announce that both brands are working on toxic between H&M Group and IKEA serves as a great
free chemical products. Member from H&M Anna example of this approach.
October/November 2019
February/March 2020