By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, Feb 01 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan exports denim fabric and apparel at a large scale in the world. The perennial wrap-faced sturdy cotton or denim has charmed the fashion world for many decades. The textile sector of Pakistan plays a vital role in its economic growth. The concept of eco-friendly products is taking roots in all economic cycles and the same is the case with denim production. According to US Office of Textile And Apparel, Pakistan’s denim exports (both fabric and products) got a leap worth $38 million in July 2021, and according to the Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan has earned $15.4 billion by exporting textile and garments. Denim is the fastest growing component in the textile industry as shown in the following figure issued by the US Office Of Textile and Apparel concerning the denim exports of multiple countries. During the last few decades, the denim industry has seen many changes regarding dye, weaving patterns, comfort levels and now the demand for green or eco-friendly wear. A number of denim brand producers have started taking initiatives for the production of green or eco-friendly denim. Natural dyes especially natural indigo (the hallmark blue shade of denim) is once again getting demand and many countries including Pakistan are interested in its revival. Spun out yarn left from jeans production is also used to produce a new fabric. Foam dying is also given preference to cut short water usage. Other eco-friendly steps, for example, cold dying, nanobubbles/e-flow technology or the use of ozone to soften the denim fabric, are also the subjects undertaken. In the same way, the use of lasers is preferred to give the impact of streaks and fading lines rather than harmful bleaches. Few international brands such as J Crew and Madewell, Outer known SEA jeans, WARP + WEFT, Levi’s, Tylor stitch, Organic salvage, Frank and Oak and Everlane, are using eco-friendly or green techniques to add more value to their brands. In 2020, the total market size of denim fabric was estimated at $21.36 billion and it was expected to reach $22.19 billion in 2021 with a compound annual growth rate of 4.24 percent and the forecasted reach by 2026 is $27.42 billion. Pakistan’s denim export increased by 62 percent in the first six months of 2021. Pakistan’s denim exports (cloth/products) towards the US are estimated to increase in the coming times. More focus on value addition and the use of organic materials will open new horizons for Pakistan to trade quality denim in eco-friendly theme. China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Turkey, India and Brazil are the main producers and exporters of denim worldwide. They produce volumes of denim per annum not only to export, but also to fulfil the need of their market. The top importers of Pakistani apparel, especially denim cloth and products, are US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Germany. Pakistan is becoming a denim hub in the region and is considered one of the quality denim fabric suppliers worldwide. The export of cotton denim fabrics increased by $45 million to $26.77 billion and still it is showing almost regular increase of 47 percent. The supply of denim from Pakistan is socialised textile produce with multiple and diversified ever-increasing use to prepare different types of fancy fashion apparel, curtains, bedsheets, uniforms, fire resisting kits, etc. Denim production is on top in Pakistan due to its regular demand worldwide. In the following two charts, Pakistan’s overall denim exports concerning the FY2020-21 and the export level of different exporters from FY2019 to 2021 are presented.   It is high time for Pakistan to improve its denim production to meet international standards to generate revenue, increase GDP and earning of foreign exchange. There is also a dire need to specify denim cloth to be categorised under a specific brand code. Because it comes under category of HS code with the overall title of “all non-knitted articles of apparel”. In Pakistan, few manufacturers of denim cloth, such as Soorti, must be appreciated for bringing innovations. On the other hand, suggestions are given to add the fibre of abundantly grown weed hemp, as it provides the strongest natural fibre to produce textile materials from old times. The hemp fibre is expected to add more flexibility to denim fabric along with pure cotton fibres. The suggestion is also given by keeping in view the increasing demand but less supply of cotton.                                                                                                                                     Pakistan’s major denim producers “Artistic Milliners” and “US Denim” both have started to produce denim fabric blended cotton with hemp. Pakistan must promote its natural vegetation to get multiple advantages for its economy and to make people aware of its positive and industrial uses. Value addition like eco-friendly steps, invitation to foreign investors, space allocation in economic zones, especially related to CPEC, are necessary to uphold the currently existing and penetrating in new worldwide markets. As China is already producing organic cotton, Pakistan can establish more eco-friendly denim fabric production units with the coordination of local producers and Chinese expertise.