Korea has shown interest to help establish Technical Textile Center at the National University of Textiles Faisalabad for which she is willing to provide Rs 600 million in technical assistance, machines, equipments and manpower training.

An official source said the government would have to provide only Rs 60 million to functionalise the center at the NTU Faisalabad. The funding is likely to be provided at the start of next fiscal year. The project will help initiate and establish the emerging field of technical textiles industry in Pakistan.

Technical textiles is an emerging area of high value addition. Pakistan will have to make concerted efforts to get share in the world market. This requires lots of investment in the research and development. The government still has to develop a proper strategy for the promotion of technical textiles in the country.

The proposed center can become a hub for excellence to impart training, develop skills of human resource, and provide relevant information in fields like geotech, meditech and sportech.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide equipment to the center. Korea has already assured to provide latest equipment worth Rs 300 million during this year, the source said. The establishment of the center will help development of value-added and quality products chain in the country.