ASAP Global Sourcing Show: 'Focus Country' status offered to Pakistan
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD (March 30 2004): 'ASAP Global Sourcing Show' has offered certain incentives to Pakistan for the promotion of garments' exports through participation in the show to be held in Las Vegas, USA, during August 2004. The offer has been made to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
According to details revealed here on Monday, ASAP is the largest garment sourcing show held in the United States and textile-exporting countries are planning big national pavilions to popularise their products in the US market.
The 'Focus Country' status would give Pakistan several free-of-cost benefits, which include premium show floor location, special media coverage of Pakistan pavilion, special mention in the pre-show marketing campaign, full page colour advertisement in ASAP Sourcing Guide, specific marketing of Pakistan's sourcing strengths, etc.
The EPB has spent more than $95,000 for getting 'Focus Country' status at the APLF being held at Hong Kong in March 2004 while the ASAP offer is without any financial implication.
Textile products constitute more than 65 percent of Pakistan's total exports and the United States is the largest importer of textile garments from Pakistan.
The United States textile import regime, so far regulated by Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA), will undergo a radical change in 2005 with the removal of textile quotas.
Under the quota regime, US importers have been constrained to import from countries having textile quotas; after 2004, they will be free to import from the most efficient producer regardless of his geographical location. It will lead to a healthy competition amongst the supplying nations.
In post-2004 era, the share of different textile exporting countries in the US textile market will be quite different from what it used to be. The market share will be determined by (i) efficiency in production and (ii) efficacy of marketing strategy.
With the countdown to 2005 growing louder and more intense, textile-producing countries have intensified their marketing campaigns in the US for maximum penetration in the post-quota market.
The 'Focus Country' status in the ASAP gives a significant advantage to Pakistan vis-à-vis her competitors.
The ASAP August 2004 provides an excellent platform to garment producers to make an effective presentation at the time when most of the US buyers will be making their buying decisions for 2005.
Featuring as a 'Focus Country', Pakistan would be able to present and establish its status as the leading producer of textile garments.
The EPB has invited applications from textile exporters for participation in the ASAP and several textile exporters have contacted the bureau for participation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2004
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