Help Increase Pakistani Exports Irfan Iqbal Sheikh
Karachi: Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President FPCCI, has welcomed the decision of global brands to introduce the International Accord’s safety program in Pakistan under the name of “Pakistan Accord.”
Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh added that b welcoming the Accord, we want to convey to the international brands that Pakistan industry is open to new ideas and programs and willing to cooperate and FPCCI as an umbrella body & other relevant associations would be taken fully on board when the Accord program is operationalized in Pakistan. We had facilitated the Accord meetings with our members in the past and would be happy to do so in future aimed at making the program participatory, he added.
Mr. Suleman Chawla, SVP FPCCI and other office bearers of FPCCI in a statement said that the Pakistan Accord agreement is a milestone and will significantly contribute to improving the health and safety conditions, particularly in the garment and textile industry in the country which is likely to increase Pakistani exports.
International Accord, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, announced that there is an international agreement to introduce the program in Pakistan which will improve structural, electrical and fire and safety at the factory level.
It is pertinent to note, Mr. Suleman Chawla added, that the accord program was first launched in Bangladesh in 2013; where it has improved over 1600 factories for safety in 8 years and is now being run by national stakeholders. There are credible reports that Bangladesh’s exports increased enormously during the period.
FPCCI sees this as an opportunity for Pakistan businesses to utilize Accord expertise and improve safety shortcomings to attract more brands to Pakistan which are shy to source from Pakistan due to health & safety concerns.
FPCCI office bearers also reminded the Accord signatory brands and other international stakeholders that the country is facing economic challenges at the moment and needs support in terms of more business in Pakistan.
Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh stated that Pakistan businesses are competent and provide the best products; particularly in the garment & textile sector; and, would also excel in bringing infrastructural improvement with technical support from the accord. He also emphasized that it is important that the brands bring more business and stable contracts – while expecting the Pakistani industry to invest in compliance-related improvements.
