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VDMA members companies played a vital role in the

development of Pakistan’s textile sector over the years

Thomas Waldmann

With more than 3,300 members, the VDMA is the largest network organization
German Review association represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests
and important voice for mechanical engineering in Germany and Europe. The

of this unique and diverse industry. We are pleased to present an exclusive
interview of Thomas Waldmann, Managing Director, VDMA Textile Machinery
Association, Germany for the interest of our readers.

TEXtalks: Germany and Pakistan are celebrating 70
years of Friendship, what would you say? Thomas Waldmann: A good way to present products
to the local industry are e.g. business initiation trips.
Thomas Waldmann: 70 years of diplomatic relations The last event of VDMA in Pakistan took place in
between Pakistan and Germany are indeed a reason November 2019, only a few months before the
to celebrate. Many VDMA companies can also outbreak of the Covid pandemic. 16 well-known
proudly point back to decades of close customer German textile machinery manufacturers (VDMA
relationships which are based on mutual trust. member companies) presented their latest
technologies for the benefit of the Pakistan textile
TEXtalks: How German technology is contributing to industry. The event was supported and organised by
the advancement of the textile industry in Pakistan? the German Ministry for Economic Affairs, the
Thomas Waldmann: Several German companies German Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and
played a key role in the development of the Pakistani Industry and VDMA Textile Machinery Association.
textile sector. The production portfolio of the VDMA Due to the pandemic and the travel restrictions, such
member companies covers machinery-wise the entire events are impossible at the moment. As an answer
textile value chain from spinning, knitting, weaving, to the travel restrictions, VDMA started a series of
nonwovens, finishing and processing for apparel, “Textile Machinery Webtalks”. They are now carried
home textile and technical textile manufacturing. out via the customer portal “Textile Machinery
Pakistani textile manufacturers already relying on Newsroom” on the IndustryArena platform Thomas Waldmann (Managing Director. VDMA Textile Machinery Association. Germany)
technology from VDMA member companies are (https://de.industryarena.com/m4t). With up to 300
aware of the long-term advantages: Due to low participants the Textile Machinery Webtalks have Thomas Waldmann: The Pakistani textile sector as business successful: for free trade and against protectionism.
maintenance charges and reliability in production, the well as the machinery producers from VDMA have
initial investment for a machine from VDMA members been very well received. Participants include staff always benefited from free trade. Protectionism VDMA and its member companies hope to meet
pays off after some years. from textile and nonwovens producing companies,
universities and research institutes. becomes more and more and issue. Unfortunately, many friends and experts from the Pakistani home
TEXtalks: Pakistan is a potential market, how do you we see these tendencies in many regions. What need textile industry at the show Heimtextil, 11-14 January
see to increase the outreach of German products to TEXtalks: Any special comments / messages to the to be done? Let us stand together for what made our 2022 in Frankfurt.
the local industry? readers on the 70th Friendship Anniversary?

September/October 2021 September/October 2021