Washington DC, In a significant acknowledgment of progress within Pakistan’s apparel industry, Ambassador Masood Khan highlighted the sector’s dynamic growth and transformative strategies aimed at bolstering exports to the United States. His remarks came during a public hearing by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) focused on the export competitiveness of the apparel industries from five Asian nations, including Pakistan.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ambassador Khan outlined several key developments within Pakistan’s apparel sector. He noted the adoption of advanced traceability technologies by Pakistani companies, aligning with global standards for supply chain transparency. Furthermore, under the Net Zero Pakistan Initiative, the nation’s leading apparel firms are advancing toward sustainable practices, aiming to achieve the Net Zero emissions goal by 2050.

Ambassador Khan emphasized the importance of the U.S. market, where Pakistan holds a 3.3 percent share in the textiles and apparel segment. Despite facing high Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs, Pakistan’s apparel industry continues to grow and adapt. The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s status as the world’s fifth-largest cotton producer, actively seeking to boost cotton productivity and sustainable agricultural practices.

Significant investments have been channeled into the sector, with around $5 billion in recent local investments to expand manufacturing capabilities. This investment includes approximately $2.2 billion in new machinery acquisitions, signaling a robust capacity for scaling up production.

Khan also pointed out the diversity of Pakistan’s customer base in the U.S., which includes numerous Fortune 500 companies. He expressed optimism for the future, emphasizing the desire to strengthen the longstanding trade relations between Pakistan and the United States, particularly within the apparel sector.