Summary Webinar ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Textile & Apparel Industry’
Summary Webinar ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Textile & Apparel Industry’ by Mr. Kashif Waheed (General Manager Projects at Pegasus Consultancy).
On May 7, 2020, Pegasus Consultancy in collaboration with the International Federation of Apparels (IAF) and Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) successfully organized a webinar on the topic ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Textile & Apparel Industry’.
The distinguished panel of speakers included: Mr. Han Bekke, President IAF; Mr. Wilson Zhu, COO Li & Fung, Mr. Joachim Hensch, Managing Director, Hugo Boss Textile Industries; Mr. Musadaq Zulqarnain, Chairman Interloop Limited; Mr. Ijaz A. Khokhar, Chief Coordinator PRGMEA. The session was moderated by Mr. Matthijs Crietee, Secretary General IAF and the host, Pegasus Consultancy was represented by Mr. Aamer Khanzada and Mr. Kashif Waheed.
The session had useful deliberations and the global experts discussed the effect of pandemic on the textile and apparel industry while sharing their insights and experiences. Starting the session, Mr. Kashif shared Pegasus’ vision behind this initiative and handed over the platform to Mr. Matthijs. First presentation was made by Mr. Han Bekke in which he comprehensively covered the Global Prospect and urged solidarity in Apparel supply chain during this pandemic. Mr. Joachim Hensch, being the MD of one of the world’s largest textile factory, highlighted the Measures and Alignment Businesses today. His excellent presentation covered all aspects of operations and demand with the key message to convert your cost-centers in value-centers.
Impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan’s textile sector with its effects on the industry and economy was presented by Mr. Musaddaq Zulqarnain. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the local industry and mentioned possible actions to reinvent the apparel industry. In the final presentation, Mr. Wilson Zhu shared his vision on What Shape the Recovery will Take under the theme ‘Survive and Thrive’, based on his experience of successfully passing through the pandemic weave in China. While presenting four scenarios of recovery based on the changed consumer behavior globally, he offered the audience to review their strategies on these lines and adopt the scenario best suited to them.
The presentations were followed by an enlightening Panel Discussion with all the speakers with addition of Mr. Ijaz A. Khokhar of PRGMEA. The panel further discussed various aspects and challenges the industry is being facing globally and each of the expert shared his insights. The panel agreed that while the crises hurting the entire business chain globally, the industries need to act proactively by learning from each other’s experiences. Sustainability and adoptability are the keys to fight the crises and retain the market share in the post-COVID world.
The webinar attracted an overwhelming response from the industry professionals and over 1,200 participants attended the live event form all over Asia, Europe and North America. The audience was interactive and knowledgeable as they keep sending their questions for the panel. Post-webinar response is also very encouraging as the views have crossed over 2,100 and the number is constantly increasing.
All in all, this initiative by Pegasus is a big success and more digital sessions will follow in the coming weeks. Special thanks to Mr. Fawad Ather for a seamless coordination for making this webinar possible in a short span of time.
To watch the webinar, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events.pegasus.