pakistan geographical review 1954 - University of the Punjab

Texthel
Textiles may be called the most ancient industry in the Middle East.
The comparatively important position of textiles is due to two reasons; firstly
availability of raw materials and scondly a large home market. At present a
large number of mills are engaged in ginning and spinning processes. Weaving
is hindered by lack of machinery and technical skill. Under present economic
development schemes textiles are being given due attention.
Turkey has made a judicious use of available resources. At present
there is no need for further expansion, except in production of low priced
staple and basic materials. There are 12 cotton mille five state owned; 11
woolen mills, 5 state owned; and two silk mills. Private mills are confined to
cotton growing areas e.g, Izmir, Adana Tarsus, Mersin and Istambul. State
owned factories are situated farther inland ~at Kayseri, N azilli, Eregli Malatya
and Bakirkoy. Bursa, Izmir and Istambul are the chief wollen manufacturing
centres. Bursa is also noted for mohair and silk weaving. Small silk factories
are also found at Istambul and Izmir. Total production is 241,758,241 yards
of cotton cloth and 7,692,307 yards of woollen. It is enough to meet the local
demand except in big cities where cloth of high value is to be imported.
Another country approaching self sufficiency is Egypt, though substantial
quantities of yarn and thread are still imported comprising 20% of
total imports of the country. Cotton goods are specially fine textured. Before
the Second World War Egygt took to silk and rayon weaving, War resulted
in the closing of the Mediterranean and supplies of silk and rayon were stopped.
This put an end to the wave of prosperity. Factories returned to fine cotton
goods. Imports were renewed in 1945, and a revival took place in ] 946. Total
output is 400 tons against a capacity at 2,000 to ns. Flax is grown within the
country, consequently linen thread and cloth are home products. A maxture of
cotton and linen is also produced. In 1953. a jute mill was erected, designed to
produce 3,000 tons of hessian and sackings per year. In 1946-47 supplies of
jute ran short. It is now working to its full capacity but is chiefly engaged in
manufacturing simple articles like ropes, twines etc. A small quantity of sisal
is also used. Woollen goods are manufactured on a considerable scale but the
inferior quality of Egyptian wool is a handicap -,
Iranian textiles mean 70% of spinning work and only 30% weaving. In
1925, the state decided to supply' electric power to important areas with large
scale cottage industries, so that a changeinto factory industry may be possible.
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