Ref. No. PHMA/017/2024
Dated:25^th May 2024  

GIZ-PHMA  RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS HELPDESKS NETWORK INITIATIVE

FOR AWARENESS ON EUROPEAN UNION’S NEW LEGISLATIONS & EXPORTS -

ORGANIZING OF WORKSHOPS ON EU CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY DUE DILIGENCE DIRECTIVES – CSDDD (3^RD JUNE – LAHORE & 7^TH JUNE – KARACHI)

Dear Members,

GIZ – German Agency for International Cooperation and PHMA – Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association are partners in progressive business development of textile industries exporting to European Union under GSP plus arrangements through various projects since last more than on decade. Both organizations have joined hands further to cooperate and collaborate for new TextILES-II (Improvement in Labour, Social & Environment Standards) program and Responsible Business Helpdesks (RBH) Network initiative which primarily are focusing on EU Green Deal and new EU Legislations. Factsheets attached.

The GIZ’s Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) promotes the implementation of Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) in global supply chains by scaling & harmonizing proven approaches. Under IGS, various local Responsible Business Helpdesks have been setup for awareness and expert advises in various countries. The PHMA in collaboration with GIZ has taken lead to establish Responsible Business Helpdesks in Pakistan to support member textile industries exporting to EU in facilitating them for sustainability in export business, ensuring compliance to HREDD by creating a nexus of cooperation and contribution in entire textile supply chain.

The EU Commission in February 2022 adopted a proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) which has been approved by the European Parliament on April 24, 2024. On May 24, 2024 the Council of European Union gave final approval to formally adopt CSDDD. EU PR enclosed.

Consequently, GIZ & PHMA, under their common resolve to support and enhance textile export to EU under GSP plus, through Responsible Business Helpdesks (RBH) Initiative are organizing,  hosted by GIZ, awareness sessions/workshops on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) wherein an International Expert Mr Joseph Strasser from ADELPHI (Europe’s Independent Think-and-Do Tank & Consulting) will speak and provide insights (on fundamentals & importance of due-diligence, EU-CS3D & its implications, OECD – Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development’s Due-Diligence guidelines) tailored specifically for textile export industry of Pakistan.

Tentative agenda attached.

PHMA hereby extends cordial invitation to the Owners/Directors of member SME industries Exporting to EU (accompanying their one Senior Staff) max two representatives to participate in these very important awareness sessions, as cited above. Kindly register as per proforma at earliest by 29^th May 2024, and email to respective PHMA Secretariat, as under:-

Mr Amjad Usman, Zonal Secretary (Sindh/Balochistan/KHI) tsc@phmaonline.com

Mr Mohammad Ayub, Zonal Secretary (Punjab/Lahore) phmalhr@gmail.com

Mr Tahir Rehman, Regional Secretary (Punjab/Faisalabad)  phmafsd1@yahoo.com

Mr Sohail Raza Dodhi, Regional Secretary (Punjab/Sialkot) phmaskt@gmail.com

For further information, respective Secretaries and/or the Secretary General Mr Khadim Rasool may be contacted at 021-34545683 email: secretary.general@phmaonline.com

Best Regards,

SYED NAHID ABBAS              JAWED BILWANI                   ABDUL JABBAR GAJIANI                FARRUKH IQBAL

Central Chairman              PATRON-IN-CHIEF             Chairman (SZ)                           Chairman (NZ)