FRANKFURT:
Pakistan is showcasing its textile sector at the world’s largest home textile exhibition, Heimtextil 2025, with a record number of exhibitors and a significant increase in its export prospects. The event, which began on January 14 in Frankfurt, Germany, brings together 2,800 exhibitors from 130 countries, with Pakistan becoming the fourth largest exhibiting country.
This year, Pakistan’s participation in Heimtextil reached unprecedented levels, with over 275 exhibitors showcasing their products, an increase of over 10% from last year. The country’s national pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Commerce, includes 64 small businesses, marking Pakistan’s largest ever presence at the event.
“Heimtextil is crucial to Pakistan’s home textile exports,” said Shafaat Ahmad Kaleem, Consul General of Pakistan in Frankfurt. “This year’s record participation is expected to result in a significant increase in exports. Business meetings between Pakistani exporters and global buyers, scheduled for January 15 under the ‘Thread Connect’ initiative, will further strengthen these ties. “
Messe Frankfurt’s representative in Pakistan, Omar Salahuddin, expressed his enthusiasm about the scale of Pakistani participation. “This year, the exhibition welcomes a record number of 275 exhibitors from Pakistan,” Salahuddin said. “With larger stands and a better, more strategic location for our exhibitors, we hope to see a significant increase in Pakistan’s export potential.”
Pakistani exhibitors showcase a diverse range of home textile products including towels, bed linen and clothing. Messe Frankfurt also provides marketing support to help these exhibitors access new global markets.
Exporter Syed Osman Ali highlighted the growing opportunities for Pakistani textiles in Western markets. “The export value of domestic textile products already stands at $2 billion, and with the tightening of US policies on Chinese goods and cotton, Pakistani textiles are well positioned to capture more market share,” he said. he declared. “This exhibition is the ideal platform to exploit this potential.”
As the exhibition progresses, Pakistani exporters remain optimistic about the future of the textile industry, especially given the European Union’s sustainability regulations expected to come into effect between 2025 and 2030. Industry experts revealed that around 30% of Pakistan’s textile sector currently meets international sustainability standards. a figure that must double by 2030 to remain globally competitive.
“This exhibition will help us plan production for the next six months,” said one participant, “from sourcing cotton to the logistics of delivering finished products. With stable utility costs and a strong rupee, it will be much easier to fulfill export orders.
