LAHORE – The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has announced the successful graduation of 2,400 skilled professionals for the textile value-added sector training to contribute its share for boosting the sector exports.
This achievement is part of the collaborative initiative between the PSDF and the Export Development Fund (EDF) by investing in skilling the workforce and contributing to the growth of exports.
Pakistan, recognised as the 8th largest exporter of textile products in Asia, is the 4th largest producer and 3rd largest consumer of cotton.
The textile sector constitutes 46 per cent of the total manufacturing sector, employing 40 per cent of the national labour force.
According to the Board of Investment (BOI), textile exports contribute approximately 60 per cent to Pakistan’s total exports, and the sector has witnessed substantial growth, with FY 2021 exports reaching $17.67 billion, a 28 per cent increase.
The PSDF and EDF joined forces to launch the “Export Growth Program in the Readymade Garments and Knitwear Industry.”
Funded by EDF, this groundbreaking project focuses on providing essential skills training to meet the specific demands of the textile sector, particularly in producing readymade garments and knitwear.
The project, implemented across Punjab and Sindh via PSDF, aims to train 6,500 individuals during the first year of 2023-24.
Post-course completion, 50 per cent of the trained individuals will be offered employment, bolstering the skilled workforce crucial for sustained growth and contributing to the sector’s further expansion and the overall economic development of Pakistan.
This initiative underscores the commitment of PSDF and EDF to harness the potential of the skilled workforce that will play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s continued success in the global textile market.
