China Sewing Machinery Association Delegation Visits Pakistan， to Explore New Opportunities for Industrial Cooperation

To accelerate global market expansion and precisely align with the equipment upgrading needs of South Asia’s textile and apparel industry, Yang Xiaojing, Chairman of the China Sewing Machinery Association, recently led an industry delegation to Pakistan for inspection and exchange. The delegation visited Lahore and Karachi—two major industrial hubs—where they met with the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA). They also conducted site visits to leading textile, garment, and embroidery enterprises including Shahkam, Style, Salim Winding, and Zaman, as well as sewing machinery distributors such as Rehman and M. Ramzan, and the Lahore office of Dahao. The delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of the local industry’s development status, industrial layout, equipment application, and service demands.

Pakistan is one of the key regions for the textile and apparel industry in South Asia. According to PRGMEA representatives, in fiscal year 2024/25, Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports reached USD 17.89 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.39%. The sector employs approximately 15 million people, accounting for 40% of the manufacturing workforce. Its industrial chain extends from rural cotton cultivation to urban garment manufacturing, making it a pillar of the national economy. Currently, the industry is accelerating its transition from low value-added processing to high value-added finished product manufacturing, with notable performance in knitting, garment production, and embroidery.

Through on-site visits, the delegation observed that Pakistan’s textile and apparel industry faces both opportunities and challenges:

First, while the industrial foundation is solid, there is a clear gap in equipment generations. Although enterprises possess complete production lines covering spinning, weaving, cutting, embroidery, sewing, and finishing, much of the equipment is outdated and has a low level of automation.

Second, demand for mid- to high-end equipment is growing rapidly. To address rising costs, many enterprises plan to introduce more advanced equipment, including computerized embroidery machines, automatic cutting systems, intelligent hanging systems, and digital sewing units.

Third, after-sales service and skills training have become key bottlenecks. There is a general shortage of technicians and operators familiar with automated and intelligent sewing equipment. Establishing localized training centers and responsive spare parts supply networks has become a core demand. In particular, building local parts warehousing and rapid distribution mechanisms is urgently needed to ensure stable equipment operation and minimize downtime losses.

Fourth, high energy costs coexist with security risks. Due to power shortages and environmental policies, there is strong demand for energy-efficient and high-performance sewing equipment. In addition, security incidents involving Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have occasionally occurred in recent years, creating a degree of uncertainty in the investment environment.

During the exchanges, Chairman Yang Xiaojing systematically introduced the development achievements of China’s sewing machinery industry. To better support the upgrading of Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector, he proposed four recommendations:

First, strengthen technological cooperation and promote training in the use of intelligent equipment. In response to the urgent demand for automation and intelligent solutions, advanced technologies and mature solutions should be introduced, along with training on high-speed embroidery machines and intelligent sewing units, to help enterprises improve productivity and product quality and transition from labor-intensive to technology-intensive operations.

Second, improve service networks and establish a full-chain after-sales support system. By collaborating with local distributors, service outlets can be set up in industrial clusters such as Lahore and Karachi, staffed with professional technical teams to provide one-stop services including installation, commissioning, maintenance, and spare parts supply. Digital tools should also be leveraged to build remote technical support platforms for rapid response and online diagnostics.

Third, deepen talent exchange and implement multi-level skills training cooperation. A regular training mechanism should be established through technical workshops, training programs in China for Pakistani personnel, and on-site guidance by Chinese experts, in order to cultivate a pool of locally based professionals skilled in both technology and operations.

Fourth, build matchmaking platforms to promote precise collaboration across the industrial chain. Strengthening communication with PRGMEA and establishing information exchange mechanisms will help foster long-term and stable partnerships between Chinese sewing machinery manufacturers and Pakistani enterprises and distributors. This will facilitate deeper cooperation in areas such as capacity collaboration, joint R&D, and market expansion, ultimately achieving complementary advantages and mutual benefit across the industrial chain.