SMEDA and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) have initiated an Industry Support Program in Pakistan. These two organizations are working together to provide technical assistance to various industrial sectors through Japanese Senior Experts. Textiles being the most vital sector of our economy and in order to provide support to our industry with the modern techniques, methodology and effective management systems, and to cope up with the challenge of post WTO regime, JICA placed five textile experts as Senior Volunteers (SVs) at SMEDA. The stay of these experts at SMEDA was for two years (from March 2004 to April 2006). The objective of Industry Support Program is to provide technical support to Textile Industry in Pakistan.

An Industry Support Cell (ISC) has also been established at SMEDA for its internal capacity building and to continue this program after the departure of JICA SVs. This cell comprises of textile professionals who have worked closely with Japanese Experts and acquired a first hand knowledge transfer and technical expertise.

A total of 166 factories in different sectors of textile industry (including 33 Spinning, 41 Weaving, 30 Knitting and 54 Garment factories) received the direct benefit of this program in all over the country.

Through a feedback mechanism, it has been observed that industry is feeling a significant impact in following areas:

• Improvement in productivity
• Optimal capacity utilization
• Introducing efficient management techniques
• Cost controls
• Skill up-gradation at middle management level
• Introducing concept of on-the- job-training
• Minimizing rejections
• Awareness of International Quality Standards
• Cultural change by introducing concept of “Continuous Improvement”

After the departure of the Japanese Experts, the first phase of program has been completed and second phase of this program has stared. In order to share the benefits of the expertise and knowledge gained from the Japanese Experts, textile stake-holders are invited to participate in the second phase of this program. Upon the willingness of the companies, the concerned SMEDA team is attached with individual units and guide about the improvements that can take place based on the specific needs of that unit.

In the process of technical guidance, the selected units will be evaluated thoroughly and comprehensive advice and guidance will be given on improving the levels of productivity, efficiency, quality, cost controls and effective management techniques (based on the needs of each individual unit). Normally, a time period of five to eight working days is allocated to each individual unit for technical assistance and then after a certain time the same unit is re-visited to evaluate the changes that take place in light of the guide lines provided earlier.

It is anticipated that the program will lead to the improvement of the textile industry at various steps of the value chain.  These improvements will lead to higher productivity of Pakistani manpower and better product quality for enhancing exports for the textile sector.

We would also request the concerned trade associations to select their members who are relatively small to medium scale in size, genuinely interested in up-grading their level of operations through the Japanese experts and are ready to put-in the required time, effort and investment for moving on to a higher level of business operations. 

Please let us know by letter, fax or e-mail about your willingness to participate in this program so that the name of the nominated unit(s) could be included in the schedule of next phase of the program.

In case if any clarifications required, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.