Pakistan Readymade Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) former Chairman Ijaz Khokhar has urged upon the Federal Textile Ministry and Punjab Government to take initiatives for developing "Garment Village" in Sialkot because value-added garment sector has great potential in the city. He said if Government would take drastic steps and adopt far-reaching approach in this regard, according to a rough calculation, garments amounting to $90,000 could be produced on daily basis besides facilitating the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged with industry.

There was great need for setting up garment training institute, textile laboratory and development centre in this export-oriented city to help the garment sector. The establishment of training institute would not only cater the needs of readymade garment sector but also help in producing the skilled labor.

The PRGMEA's Former Chairman said that according to a rough estimate more than 15,000 workers engaged with readymade garments and earning their livelihood in a respectable way. The total export of Sialkot was $900 million, out of which of one fourth share is contributed by the readymade garments sector. If Federal and Provincial governments took timely action for the establishment garment village and training institute in Sialkot, the readymade garment sector would further contribute in foreign exchange earning.