Pakistan should increase textile exports to Argentina, says minister

Pakistan exporters should focus on increasing textile exports to Argentina while efficiently competing with their counterparts from India and China, said Argentinean ambassador Ivan Ivanissevich. He added that the country should also look out for opportunities to increase their share in the Argentina market by focusing on branding as well.

Argentina imports 60 per cent of its textile products and produces the remaining locally. In the first quarter of 2016, there was 27 per cent rise in the import of textile products, said Ivanissevich, at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

China and Brazil are Argentina’s biggest textile supplier nations while a major portion of Argentina’s textiles and garments are exported to Brazil and Chile.

Talking of improving business relations between both the countries, Ivanissevich said that Pakistan should also increase the efficiency of its agriculture sector as it is not as developed when compared with Argentina’s agriculture. Argentina can help Pakistani farmers by teaching them techniques to improve their yield. The embassy is also thinking of sending the farmers to Argentina to improve their skills, according to a leading daily.  

For the FY 2015-16, Pakistan’s total exports to Argentina were around $52 million, which is 17 per cent more than exports of previous year. Similarly, there was 37 per cent rise in Pakistan’s imports from Argentina which stood at $194 million during FY 2015-16.

KCCI intends to promote good business relations between both the countries, said KCCI president Shamim Firpo at the meeting.

Trade and investment delegations, trade fairs, exhibitions, seminars and meeting will help in the development of Pakistan-Argentine business and investment cooperation, according to Firpo.