Pakistan’s first textile sector exhibition Texpo 2016 got underway in Karachi yesterday with an objective to build a strong business relationship of the country’s exporters with global textile importers.

The exhibition at Karachi Expo Center was jointly inaugurated by Pakistani commerce minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and his Sri Lankan counterpart Rishad Bathiudeen. The Lankan minister is leading a 15-member delegation to attend the textile sector-specific exhibition.

Pakistan’s textile sector is expected to grow strongly in the coming years due to addition of the LNG in Pakistan’s energy mix in recent months. Pakistan already enjoys GSP Plus status with the European Union which is also contributing to enhance growth in the textile sector.

Organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in collaboration with the commerce ministry, Texpo 2016 has over 350 stalls displaying all ranges of textile products from yarn to value-added items from premier Pakistani brands. The exhibition will continue till April 10.

Texpo 2016 has drawn over 600 foreign delegates from 51 countries. Among them are top Sri Lankan brands Hameedia, Fashion Bug, Hydra, Hafyar, Cliftex and Afra Fashion (Sri Lanka).