Page 20 - TEXtalks January/February 2022

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COVID-19: A source of a colossal

loss of textile exports for the

neighboring rivals

Pakistan and India are rivals in all fields, including 2022, with value-added textiles accounting for $213
textile exports. After the COVID-19 pandemic, million and other textiles accounting for $77 million.
Pakistan gained momentum and reached new This loss translates into a considerable decline in
export targets, while in India, the situation was both value and volume. Indian Textile sector
worse, and Indian Textile Sector witnessed a recovered well in 2021 and showed promising
colossal loss during the crisis. India is likely to face results. During April-December 2021, the total
textiles and apparel, including handicrafts exports,
rising competition from Pakistan in sectors including was $29.8 billion compared to $21.2 billion for the
auto parts and textiles However, Jan 2022 has been same period last year. This implies robust growth of
showing a different story so far. approximately 41% over last year. Compared to
April-December 2019, textile exports increased by
Pakistan’s textile exports have dipped by 61% in the 14.6% in April- December 2021. In a nutshell, the
first nine days of the current month of January 2022. COVID-19 has significantly affected the textile
According to projections, textile production sectors of both countries. However, India suffered
decreased by $290 million in the first nine days of more than Pakistan.

MG Apparel’s Cotton Farming Initiative

Prada and Adidas to switch from An example to be followed

virgin to Re-Nylon In collaboration with HBL, MG Apparel has launched and higher yarn prices. These issues have increased

the Cotton Farming Initiative that aims to preach
the cost of production and reduced the profit
sustainable farming practices, along with guidance
increase cotton production.
through agronomists on yield improvement & it is margins. Therefore, there is a strong need to
The Adidas for Prada Re-Nylon collection, which launched on Jan. 13, reinterprets each brand’s aesthetic returned to farmers in Balochistan while supporting
codes once again, blending the Italian brand’s craftsmanship with Adidas’ sportswear heritage. In this MG Apparel’s cotton initiative could be a helping
collection, each piece is made in Italy by Prada and with the brand’s signature recyclable Re-Nylon textile. inter-provincial harmony. This will uplift the hand to promote sustainable cotton production in
The signature Re-Nylon is created by recycling plastic waste collected from oceans, fishing nets, and textile community, improve livelihoods, and remove the Balochistan, which can ultimately lead to better
fiber waste. It can be purified and recycled indefinitely, with no loss of quality. The Adidas for Prada Re-Nylon need for third-party interventions as buyers can crop yield.
directly approach farmers for raw material.
collection marks the shift of the entire Prada production from virgin nylon to Re-Nylon is a milestone.
MG Apparel is a premium quality apparel
Pakistan is the fifth-largest producer of cotton in the
Prada reworked some of the brand’s distinctive pieces with the Adidas branding, all in Re-Nylon, including a world. It also has the third-largest cotton spinning manufacturer operating on industry 4.0 guidelines.
track coat, tracksuit, sweater, a hooded jacket, and a bucket hat. Each piece is available in a duo of color capacity in Asia (after China and India), with The company’s mission is to create an
iterations — black with white stripes and white with black stripes, detailed with Prada’s enameled triangle environment-conscious brand making a difference
logo. Prada S.p.A. is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 by Mario Prada. It specializes in leather thousands of ginning and spinning units producing one green step at a time. Such initiatives should be
textile products from cotton. Today, Pakistan is the
handbags, travel accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear, perfumes, and other fashion accessories. By observing second-largest producer of Better Cotton globally. encouraged at the government level to boost the
company's morale and set an example for others to
and interpreting the spirit of times, Prada’s ambition to play an impactful role in the industry and beyond Currently, Pakistan is facing cotton shortage issues follow for the betterment of Pakistan.
perfectly aligns with the growing demand from its internal and external stakeholders for dialogue,
transparency, and more sustainable practices.

January/February 2022 January/February 2022