Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, accompanied by Special Secretary Commerce Syed Hamid Ali, Director General (Textile) Mudassar Raza Siddiqi, and Director General Trade Development Authority of Pakistan Arif Ullah, held a detailed meeting with a delegation of the All Pakistan Bedsheets and Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA) to discuss a broad range of matters including export marketing, branding & promotion, international market access, trade financing and the key issues being faced by the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The APBUMA delegation included Former Chairman Arif Ehsan Malik, Vice Chairman Shehzad Hussein, Executive Member Shehzad Ahmad, Sadaqat Limited Awais Mukhtar, AB Exports Muhammad Ahmed, Secretary General Rao Dilshad, and Messe Frankfurt Pakistan Office Kaleem Baig.
The delegation briefed the Minister regarding the association’s ongoing efforts to expand footprint of Pakistan’s SMEs in international markets, and drive export growth through trade promotion initiatives.
They apprised that 15-member companies of APBUMA are participating in the upcoming Home Textile Sourcing exhibition scheduled from 21 to 23 July 2026 in Los Angeles through a dedicated Pakistan’s Pavilion, for which the association requested the Federal Minister to patronage the event and extend the support for targeted business-to-business engagements and productive outcomes.
The delegation highlighted that the companies are participating in this exhibition through their own resources as part of private sector-led efforts to promote Pakistan’s home-textiles exports, attract foreign buyers, and strengthen international commercial linkages.
The Minister assured that the delegation that Trade and Investment Officers of Pakistan posted in the United States shall extend the due facilitation to the members of APBUMA participating in the Home Textile exhibition in Los Angeles to forge meaningful collaboration with the global brands and retailers.
The association further proposed bringing globally recognized exhibition platforms such as Heimtextil to Pakistan, stating that hosting such events in Pakistan would significantly enhance the country’s global visibility, attract international buyers directly to local manufacturing hubs, and create long-term branding and investment opportunities for the textiles and apparel sector.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan commended the private sector’s proactive efforts and acknowledged that international exhibitions and direct engagement with foreign buyers are essential tools for improving country branding in the global marketplaces and expanding Pakistan’s export.
He further stressed the importance of actively pursuing new markets and forging meaningful international business linkages. He noted that Pakistani exporters have consistently proven themselves on the global platforms and encouraged the industry to keep building on that momentum for greater penetration in existing as well as new markets.
The APBUMA delegation also sought government support for international branding and promotional campaigns, stressing that more visible and consistent promotion would give Pakistani exporters a much-needed edge in high-value global markets.
The delegation further highlighted financing-related issued being faced by the SMEs, including export credit risk insurance facility by the EXIM Bank of Pakistan. The meeting recognized the need for greater facilitation, particularly for SMEs seeking entry into new markets.
The Minister said that, as per the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan along-with EXIM Bank is working to sort out all kind of financing related issues being faced by the export industries in general and the SMEs in particular.
The delegation raised concerns over issues relating to yarn bags and related cost escalations, impacting exporters’ competitiveness. Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan took note and assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up urgently with the relevant authorities.
Reaffirming the government’s support for export-led growth, the Minister said Ministry of Commerce remains committed to working closely with industry stakeholders to remove bottlenecks, improve competitiveness, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in international trade.
