Colours, Weave, Thread & Art, and that magic touch of Pakistan
Melbourne (Sarwat Hassan, Tribune International) -It is the first time a delegation of 14 Women Entrepreneurs of Pakistan are visiting Australia to showcase their range of beautiful traditional designs and modern products. Whether it is handmade bag, silk scarves, handmade silver jewellery, traditional shalwar kameez, or handmade bed quilts – these Pakistani businesswomen know style, fashion, trends and have a passion and eagerness to launch their product range in the Australian market.
The visit sponsored by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) hopes to provide a stepping stone for Pakistani women entrepreneurs in the textile industry who would like to expand their business within the Australasia region as many of them have a presence already within UK/US/Middle Eastern export markets that they are currently successfully working in.
Consulate General of Pakistan Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili says ‘this is the first event, and these Pakistani women entrepreneurs have excellent potential to excel in the Australian textile market’.
Bina Ali, CEO of ARTEL, says each of her product is hand-crafted and the key-word ARTEL literally means a group of craftsman and designers. Her team comprises of under privileged youth both boys and girls with little or no education whom they train in-house. Ms Bina Ali says ARTEL strives to give a new meaning to terracotta as it has unique craftsmanship, with beautiful colours and style, suiting to all clientele.
Mrs Masooma Sibtain, CEO Trends.com.pk says that she has a lot of demand in other countries for her range of designs and she is pleased to have the opportunity to showcase her Pakistani designer clothing wear and she looks forward to expanding her network within Australia.
Traditional innovative handicrafts showcased by Mrs Mumtaz Akhter, CEO Taji Handicrafts were stunning with each piece, fabric and detailed work bringing the true ethnic cultures of Pakistan to life.
The delegation of Pakistani women entrepreneurs included Tahira Naseem, E C Member FPCCI & CEO, Tahira Enterprises, Naseem Akhtar, CEO Naseem Akhtar Enterprises, Aasia Khan, CEO Hameeda Begum Industrial Home, Samina Fazil CEO, Misha’s Collection, Mumtaz Akhter, CEO Taji Handicrafts – Ahmed International, Munawara Sultana CEO M.S Collection, Sajida Anwaar CEO Faces Collection, Bina Ali, CEO Artel, Anadil Khan CEO Sam International, Mrs.Humaira Batool, Batool’s, Mrs Zahra Jabeen, Zara Boutique, Mrs Masooma Sibtain, Trends, Ms. Shireen Arshad Khan, CEO Shireen Designer World, Shabana Asif, Proprietor Mana’s Collection.
It wasn’t only Pakistani businesswomen present today at the International Sourcing Expo 2015 being held in Melbourne Exhibition centre but many well-known Pakistani manufacturers/exporters such as Kohinoor Mills, Nishat, Towellers, Worth Sports were participating in the event.
Kohinoor Mills Limited is one of the largest vertically integrated textile manufacturers in Pakistan, it started its successful journey back in 1949. The company has achieved annual sales of US$ 140 million to customers based in Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia.
Mr Awais Chaudhry, Marketing Manager for Kohinoor Mills says ‘We are a thriving business, and have been in business with Australia for the past 50 years and despite the Pakistani dollar and economy slowing down – we are doing very well, our products being manufactured are world-class and unbeatable, although Australian regulations are tough we have gone through the regulatory framework and have approved standards.’
It was not only the textile industry but Pakistani sporting goods manufacturers were optimistic to make their mark and place in the Australian sporting goods sector, Mr Faheem Ahmed of Worth Sports, says that ‘Worth Sports each product is thoroughly checked, tested and made with high-quality material to match with any worldwide competitor – our accessories even our motorbike gloves are custom made’.
More updates to follow on the story with the next visit of the Pakistani Women entrepreneurs to Sydney Friday, 20 Nov 2015 (5.30 to 8.00 pm) at Spice of Life, Harris Park.
