Pakistan textile exhibitors: Embassy in Russia urges government to set up warehousing facility

Pakistan textile exhibitors: Embassy in Russia urges government to set up warehousing facility
Pakistan embassy in Russia has urged the government to set up warehousing facility preferably in Saint Petersburg to facilitate Pakistani textile exhibitors.

In a report to S M Munir, Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Pakistan’s Minister/Deputy Head of Mission Ata-ul-Munim Shahid has revealed that international trade fair for home textiles, floor coverings and interior furnishings Heimtextil Russia is considered to be the main event in the home and interior textile industry. It is organized on an annual basis by Messe Frankfuit RUS as a continuation of the Frankfurt trade fair Heimtextil. The 18th Heimtextil Russia was held in Moscow on 20-23 September 2016 in Crocus Expo Center. Thousands of professionals in the home and interior textile industry gathered in the two halls of the venue totalling 17,200 sq. meter. They present their companies, share their expertise, and build creative cooperation with perspective partners.

The event was attended by more than 17,000 participants from over 40 countries who had the opportunity to learn the latest trends in home texti1e and interior designs as well as find new business partners. The attendees comprised: (i) wholesalers, (ii) importers, (iii) distributors, (iv) designers, (v) trading companies. (vi) manufacturers, (vii) retailers, (viii) manufacturers, (ix) HoReCa representatives, and (x) architects.

The trade fair attracted over 250 companies from 23 countries who had the opportunity to showcase their offered goods and services in one of the following product groups: (i) bedroom textiles, (ii) kitchen textiles, (iii) bathroom textiles, (iv) window decorations, (v) wallpaper and wall coverings, (vi) textile floor coverings, (vii), furniture & fabrics and leather, and (viii) sun protection systems.

The participation provided following advantages to the exhibitors: (i) introduction of their companies to the professional audience of the textile market; (ii) forge various contact opportunities; (iii) generate quality leads; (iv) transform the leads into sustainable business relationships; (v) discuss perspectives of development with the existing partners;(vi) benefit from the purchasing power of trade visitors due to the high number of decision market attendees;(vii) visit lectures and workshops of the leading Russian and European designers and decorators; (vii) participate in the contest for designers and architects on creating the best textile decorations; (ix) exchange experience with their counterparts from numerous countries;(x) study the current trends, tendencies and highlights of the home textile industry;(xi) learn about the latest creation in their niche; and (xi) discover and plan new product ideas and modification.

The top five exhibitor countries were Russia 93, China 41, Turkey 25, Egypt 16 and Germany 12 companies.

Pakistan was the 6th biggest exhibitor in the fair. Ambassador Qazi Khalilullah visited Pakistani exhibitors during of the Pakistani exhibitors. The following nine companies participated:(i) M/s Adnan Textile Mills;(ii) M/s Al-Hamra INC;(iii) Bari Textile Mills;(iv) Eastern Textile;(v) Hasan Textile;(vi) Imperial Towel Industries;(vii) International Textile Ltd ;(viii) M/s Roomi Textile and ;(ix) M/s Union Textile Industries.

According to Minister/Deputy Head of Mission, most of the Pakistani exhibitors were participating for the first time in Heimtextil Russia exhibition. As per exhibitors the event was organized at a high level, however, the number of visitors was not satisfactory.

During the fair, the Embassy organized B2B meetings and visit of Pakistani exhibitors to another specialized textile exhibition “Federal Trade Fair Textillegprom” which started simultaneously with Heimtextil but in the Russian Exhibition Center. It had been noticed that the number of visitors in Textillegprom was higher this year comparing with Heimtextil. Therefore, those exhibitors who visited Textillegprom expressed the desire to participate in Textillegprom next year.

As per Omer Shahid from Union Textile Industries, the Embassy and TDAP provided great support to the exhibitors. He expected to have 2-3 shipments (around $40,000.00) in the upcoming 3-6 months. He also showed interest to participate in Textillegprom exhibition next year.

Adil Mukhtar from “International Textile” expects to sell at least one container per month and also requested the Embassy’s assistance for establishment of showroom and warehousing facility in Russia. Hamid Siddique from “Imperial Textile Industries” was satisfied with the result of the exhibition. He is expecting to receive orders for two containers every month. The main issue, he underlined, was that Russian buyers were looking for very low prices and company needs to work hard to meet it. Tabish Bari from “Ban Textile” expected to receive the first order of two containers next month.

The embassy stated that the main problem of Pakistan exhibitors was the inability to deal with those Russian buyers who want to purchase products cleared from customs and on the territory of Russian Federation. Unfortunately, unlike Pakistan’s main competitors, Indians, Turks, Chinese and Egyptians, Pakistani suppliers focus mainly on export directly from Pakistan which makes them less competitive for the Russian market. Those Pakistani exhibitors who received positive feedback from the exhibition and have experience dealing with Russian buyers may consider the opportunity to open their representation offices in Russia.

The embassy has recommended that for better trade facilitation, Pakistani textile suppliers require warehousing facility, preferably in Saint Petersburg which could be operated by a private marketing company hired by interested Pakistani association or TDAP. The idea is to help Pakistani companies to store their products, get them cleared from customs and then sell in the Russia market. This will allow our suppliers to increase the number of potential Russian buyers.