The largest global exhibition for home textiles, Heimtextil 2025, will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from January 14 to 17. This four-day event will see a record number of companies from Pakistan participating, with over 270 exhibitors attracting foreign buyers from around the world. As in previous years, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) will set up a Pakistan Pavilion to draw the attention of global buyers. TDAP has consistently encouraged smaller local textile exporters to participate in these exhibitions, and its efforts to increase Pakistan’s textile exports are commendable. This year, the number of Pakistani exhibitors has increased by 10%, making Pakistan the fourth largest exhibitor after China, India, and Turkey at this event. The Pakistani textile sector holds high hopes for Heimtextil 2025, as Pakistani companies aim to engage existing buyers while also attracting new ones.
Countries known for manufacturing and exporting textile products, such as China, India, Italy, Germany, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, the USA, Japan, Indonesia, France, Vietnam, and others, will also participate in this exhibition. For Pakistani businesses in the textile sector, this exhibition serves as an excellent platform to gain experience and familiarize themselves with global trends. Each year, hundreds of companies from Pakistan, as well as students and teachers from textile and fashion design schools, and a large number of buyers, attend the event. The number of Pakistani companies wishing to participate in this exhibition continues to grow every year. However, Pakistan must take steps to ensure full participation in the carpet sector at such events. Historically, Pakistan has enjoyed a prominent position in the global carpet industry, and hand-woven Pakistani carpets have been highly popular worldwide. To maintain this status, the government must provide support and incentives to artisans involved in carpet-making.
According to Omar Salahuddin, Pakistan’s representative at Messe Frankfurt, this year Pakistan will showcase its products in the newly expanded and larger halls 8 and 9. Thanks to these new halls, more Pakistani companies will be able to participate in the exhibition. He also stated that Pakistani exhibitors will focus on sustainable and innovative textile solutions to attract global buyers, which will further promote the country’s textile exports. These international exhibitions not only help Pakistani participants stay informed about global trends but also offer insights into the demands and needs of the international textile market. By participating in such events, exhibitors gain valuable experience in how to sell their products in the global market, as well as the importance of branding and marketing.
The growing number of Pakistani companies at Heimtextil 2025 highlights the increasing popularity and usefulness of the event. These exhibitions are helping Pakistan’s textile sector maintain its presence in the global market and create pathways for increased exports by attracting foreign buyers. Such events will undoubtedly play a crucial role in helping the Pakistani textile sector sustain and grow its market share in the global arena.
Pakistan has a significant position in the global textile market and is one of the leading countries in textile exports. The textile sector contributes nearly 60% of Pakistan’s total exports, amounting to around 8-9% of the national GDP. The textile industry is also the largest provider of employment in the country, with more than 25 million people directly and indirectly involved in the sector. Karachi and Faisalabad are particularly prominent in the local textile sector, which encompasses sub-sectors such as spinning, weaving, processing, garment manufacturing, and yarn production.
In fiscal year 2023, Pakistan exported textile products worth $16.5 billion, which was lower compared to fiscal year 2022. Pakistan exports a range of textile products, including knitwear, house linen, bed sheets, and others, with the USA, Europe, and the Middle East being major buyers. Cotton, the raw material for textile products, holds significant importance. While Pakistan is one of the largest cotton-producing countries, it has faced a decline in cotton production in recent years due to weather changes and other factors. As a result, Pakistan has had to import cotton from countries like the USA, Brazil, and Australia to meet its export orders.
The Pakistani textile sector faces challenges such as power and gas shortages, rising utility costs, and high interest rates, which have increased production costs and posed additional problems. Despite these challenges, Pakistani textile products continue to represent the country on the global stage, earning valuable foreign exchange. Pakistan faces intense competition in textile exports from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, where the textile sector benefits from lower electricity and gas rates, as well as lower interest rates compared to Pakistan. Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s textile sector continues to provide employment to millions and is a major source of foreign exchange earnings. Over 50% of the country’s foreign exchange comes from textile exports, and about 40% of the industrial workforce is engaged in this sector.
Despite all these challenges, Pakistan must focus on enhancing sustainability and value addition in the textile sector. The global textile and apparel market is valued at approximately $1.2 trillion, and to secure a larger share, Pakistan must adopt innovation and sustainability practices. Pakistan has enjoyed the benefits of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status since 2014, which allows it to export to Europe at zero or very low tariffs. The textile sector has benefited the most from this status. To maintain this privilege, Pakistan must ensure full compliance with 27 international conventions related to human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and good governance. While Pakistan currently faces no immediate threats to its GSP Plus status, it must continue to adhere to all these conventions.
