January 23, 2008	Wednesday	Muharram 13, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 22: Pakistani exhibitors negotiated export orders worth over $500 million in the Heimtextil, Frankfurt. Around 170 exhibitors from Pakistan participated in the world’s largest fair of home textiles and displayed their top-line home furnishings and textile made-ups.

The exhibition recently concluded proved to be a major selling venue for the Pakistani textile manufacturers who received trade inquiries during the entire four days and procured orders from buyers, especially European and US importers.

“The Pakistani exhibitors had a little edge over their arch rivals from China and India as exporters from both the countries faced difficulties in quoting prices due to various reasons,” Said Arif Elahi, an exhibitor from Faisalabad.

He pointed out that due to the slashing of export rebates by the Chinese government and appreciation of yuan has reduced the profitability of the Chinese manufacturers while the Indian manufacturers faced little hardship due to the appreciation of their rupee.

Majority of the exhibitors from Pakistan were of the view that they got very encouraging response from the US and European buyers but they were a bit reluctant in quoting prices for the long-term orders due to the uncertainties at home.

Syed Usman Ali, chairman Towel Manufacturers Association (TMA) said that the towel exporters more or less depended on Heimtextil every year and procured good orders for the season.

He said that the TMA members had demanded of the organisers to hold Heimtextil in Dubai if it is not possible to organise it in Pakistan, says a press release.