Page 10 - TEXtalks. July- August 2023

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Pakistan’s textile exports up 11%

in June over previous month

Pakistani textile exporters saw an increase of 12 percent in exports when compared with the month of May. The
exports clocked $1.70 billion in June ’23 compared with $1.14 billion achieved in May’23.

The surge came from the value-added sector which reached $1.07 billion, which is up by 17 percent MoM.
Bedwear, Readymade Garments, and Knitwear increased by 19 percent, 19 percent, and 18 percent MoM
respectively. On the other hand, Basic textiles decreased by 2 percent MoM with Cotton Cloth decreasing by 7
percent MoM. Volumetrically the exports of Bedwear, Readymade Garments, Knitwear, and Towels increased
by 20 percent MoM, 16 percent MoM, and 14 percent MoM, and 8 percent MoM. Major increases came from
the United States and European Union markets.

However, YOY basis Pakistan’s textile exports were down by 14 percent due to a 15 percent and 9 percent
decline in Value-Added and Basic segments respectively. Value-Added segment declined on a YoY basis due
to Bedwear, Knitwear, Readymade Garments, and Towels decreasing by 15 percent, 17 percent, 13 percent, and 4
percent YoY. During fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23), Pakistan recorded textile exports of $16.50 billion down by 15
percent YoY (18 percent). Basic and value-added declined by 21 percent and 13 percent YoY respectively.

UNDP provides vocational training

funds to rehabilitate textile workers

affected by Earthquake

A new US$2.5 million initiative prioritizes vocational training to meet industry needs while bringing vulnerable
groups into the labor force. To fill up to 3,500 vacant positions in the textile industry and related sectors the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new US$2.5 million initiative sectors for
integrating women and other underserved groups into the labor market. The new initiative was announced
today at a UNDP-convened meeting of textile producers in Istanbul.

The new program, provided by the Government of Sweden is in addition to contributions from Korea and
Finland and is aimed at addressing the acute labor shortages that have emerged with the outward migration of
skilled workers from the south and southeast after the devastating earthquakes of February 2023.

The program builds on an ongoing UNDP partnership with the Education Foundation of the Istanbul Apparel
Exporters' Association (IHKIB) that was forged in 2022 with an eye to finding durable employment for
unemployed Syrian refugees and host community members in “labor-absorptive” industries like textiles.

UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton said we see an entire region where industrial producers are growing
desperate to find and retain employees. We aim to apply together with our private sector partners to provide
vocational training particularly to to bring women and other underrepresented groups into the workforce.

July/August 2023