Garment industry urges result-oriented planning for PM’s Russia visit to boost exports

By Dr Ansab Ali, Lahore Pakistan
LAHORE: The garment industry and exporters have emphasized that the planned visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Russia—postponed due to the Middle East conflict—should be rescheduled once the situation stabilizes, with a strong focus on achieving concrete trade outcomes and boosting exports.
Former central chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Mubashar Naseer Butt, stressed that the upcoming visit must avoid past shortcomings where trade delegations produced limited practical results due to insufficient planning and weak follow-through.
He underlined that the visit should be meticulously prepared with clearly defined objectives centered on export growth. A comprehensive delegation, including officials responsible for tariff policy, banking channels, currency mechanisms, and logistics, must accompany the Prime Minister to ensure meaningful and implementable outcomes.
Mubashar Butt also highlighted the importance of involving Embassy of Pakistan in Moscow, urging diplomatic and trade officials to coordinate with Russian counterparts in advance to ensure productive engagements. He noted that previous visits lacked coordination among institutions, which hindered results, adding that a unified and proactive approach is crucial this time.
He described Russia as a strong and stable economy with consumer standards comparable to, and in some sectors exceeding, those of the European Union and the United States. According to him, Russian buyers are willing to pay premium prices for high-quality products, making it a promising market for Pakistan’s garment and textile exports.
Highlighting the importance of fashion exports, he pointed out that Russian consumers have a strong inclination toward fashion and design. He urged the government to facilitate Pakistani designers and exporters by easing visa processes and encouraging participation in global platforms such as Moscow Fashion Week.
Currently underway in Moscow from March 14 to 19, Moscow Fashion Week has become a key event on the global fashion calendar, featuring over 200 brands from countries including China, Spain, Armenia, and Turkey. Renowned designers such as Alena Akhmadullina and Ruban are showcasing their collections, alongside emerging labels like Sasha Barbakov, Masterpeace, House of Leo, and Unke.
He noted that such platforms offer valuable opportunities for countries like Pakistan, which has a strong garment manufacturing base, to connect with international designers, buyers, and markets, opening new avenues for collaboration and sustainable growth.
Mubashar Butt concluded that with effective planning, strong institutional coordination, and active participation from the garment sector, the Prime Minister’s visit could significantly enhance Pakistan’s exports to Russia and help establish a stronger foothold in this important market.