ISLAMABAD, June 9: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has formally handed over a policy proposal outlining a 10-year roadmap for the development of Pakistan’s technical textiles industry, aiming to support the sector’s transition toward higher-value and technology-driven production.
The proposal, titled Policy Proposal for Pakistan’s Technical Textiles Development (2026–2035), was presented during a ceremony at the Pakistan Secretariat in Islamabad. The initiative is intended to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in technical textiles, a specialized segment of the textile industry used in sectors such as healthcare, automotive manufacturing and infrastructure.
The ceremony was attended by KOICA Pakistan Deputy Director Sodam Baek, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industries Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Director General of Textile at the Ministry of Commerce Dr. Nabeel Amin, and National Textile University Rector Dr. Rashid Masood.
Roadmap for industry growth
According to KOICA, the policy proposal identifies five strategic priorities for the sector: technological innovation, infrastructure development, human resource development, market expansion and sustainability.
The roadmap aims to support the long-term growth of Pakistan’s technical textiles industry and enhance its international competitiveness through advanced technologies and industry modernization.
Technical textiles refer to specialized textile products designed for industrial, medical, engineering and other non-traditional applications, offering higher value-added opportunities compared to conventional textile products.
Developed through Pakistan-Korea collaboration
The proposal was prepared under the second phase of the KOICA-funded project, Strengthening of the Pak-Korea Technical Textile Centre in Faisalabad.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the National Textile University (NTU) and includes the construction of the Pak-Korea Technical Textile Centre, vocational training programmes, research and development activities, and prototype development initiatives.
According to KOICA, the policy framework was developed through seven rounds of joint meetings involving NTU and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), the project’s implementing partner.
Focus on industrial competitiveness
Officials said the initiative is designed to strengthen industrial competitiveness, encourage innovation and support sustainable growth in Pakistan’s textile sector.
Speaking at the event, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan thanked KOICA for its support and expressed interest in further discussions on the implementation of the proposed roadmap and the role of the government in achieving its objectives.
Sodam Baek highlighted the importance of active participation by all stakeholders to ensure that the policy recommendations are translated into practical outcomes for the industry.
Long-standing development partnership
KOICA has been operating development projects in Pakistan since opening its Islamabad office in 2010. Its initiatives have included support for vocational training, water resources, energy, rural development and industrial capacity-building programmes.
The ceremony concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Korea cooperation and advancing the development of Pakistan’s technical textiles sector through innovation, skills development and industry collaboration.
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