At the Heimtextile Fair Germany, Pakistan, the 4th largest exhibitor received almost half the number of orders this year compared to previous year. Heimtextile is a mega event for all textile millers and exporters of the world, where this year around 220 Pakistani exhibitors participated under the Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) umbrella at the Pakistan pavilion.

Pakistani exporters have seen a massive drop in international orders lately, due to the energy crisis and the slowdown of global economy, said an exhibitor at the Heimtextile Fair and Ayesha Textile Mills CEO Abdulla Kamal. He said international buyers were moving away from Pakistani market due to delay in shipments. On the other hand, China is very good in timely delivery, he observed.

The global economic slowdown has also played a key role in keeping buyers away from the recent exhibition. Europe is passing through a low-growth phase, remarked Kamal. He said during the peak textile season, the government severs the gas supply. This time, though, the situation was better since the government cut supply to domestic consumers in order to facilitate the industries.

Moreover, he said the law and order situation in the country was another major hurdle in grabbing orders. The recent terrorist attacks on schools and colleges have dented Pakistan’s reputation internationally. Buyers are frightened to even come visit us, let alone give orders, he concluded.