LAHORE: The garment industry has called for a result-oriented approach to the prime minister’s planned visit to Russia, stressing that the trip must be carefully structured to deliver tangible gains in exports once regional conditions stabilise.
Exporters noted that the visit, previously postponed due to the Middle East conflict, is expected to take place once the situation normalises. They emphasised that whenever it is rescheduled, it should be backed by thorough preparation and a clear focus on expanding the country’s export footprint.
Former central chairperson of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association Mubashar Naseer Butt said the upcoming visit must avoid the shortcomings of previous trade delegations, which yielded limited practical outcomes due to weak planning and lack of follow-through.
He said the visit should be planned well in advance with clearly defined objectives centred on export growth. A comprehensive delegation, including officials responsible for tariff policy, banking channels, currency arrangements and logistics, should accompany the prime minister, he added. Each institution must complete its groundwork beforehand to ensure discussions translate into immediate and implementable decisions.
Butt also highlighted the need for active involvement of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Moscow, urging officials to engage with Russian counterparts ahead of the visit to ensure meaningful outcomes. Past visits, he said, were undermined by inadequate coordination among departments, making a unified and proactive approach essential this time.
He described Russia as a stable and sizeable market with consumer standards comparable to, and in some segments exceeding, those of Western economies. Russian buyers, he said, are willing to pay premium prices for quality products, offering significant potential for Pakistan’s garment and textile exports.
Emphasising the importance of fashion exports, he noted strong demand among Russian consumers for design-led products. He urged the government to facilitate Pakistani designers and exporters by streamlining visa processes and supporting participation in global platforms such as Moscow Fashion Week (MFW).
Butt said platforms such as MFW offer valuable opportunities for Pakistan to connect with international designers, buyers and markets, potentially opening new avenues for collaboration and growth.
He added that with proper planning, institutional coordination and active participation from the garment sector, the prime minister’s visit could help Pakistan expand exports to Russia and strengthen its presence in the market.
