The 12th International Exhibition for Garments, Textile Machinery and Accessories was held in Karachi from 26th to 28th Feb 2019. IGATEX Pakistan is a pioneer exhibition being organized by the FAKT Exhibition since 2002. Every year it is held alternatively in Lahore and Karachi. More than 500 companies hailing from 37 different countries exhibited their products and latest technologies in the fair.
The exhibition was inaugurated by the acting President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and CEO FAKT Saleem Khan Tanoli along with other dignitaries, Abbas Mooraj, officials from Turkish, Chinese Consulates, Aarij Iqbal, Asif Inam, Rafiq Kabib Godel and others.
This event is aimed to enhance our exports and introduce the latest technology in this sector. This will also provide more employment opportunities in Pakistan. More than 116 Chinese exhibitors formed the largest exhibitor group at the exhibition followed closely by 92 companies from Italy, 75 from Germany, 25 each from Japan and Switzerland. Other countries present at IGATEX 2019 are France, Belgium, Austria, Korea, United Kingdom, United States of America, Brazil, Thailand.
The Textile industry contributes around 8.5% to the GDP and provides employment to about 40% of the 49 million workforce of the country. Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the 3rd the largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and contributes 5% to the global spinning capacity.