ZAHEER AHMED SIDDIQUI
Senior Manager Sustainability, Systems & Compliance
at Gul Ahmed
“The HIP system helps us to ensure Gul Ahmed’s compliance with industry standards for ethical and sustainable sourcing”
Gul Ahmed has been working with Cotton made in Africa since 2016. As a vertically integrated textile producer, the company manufactures yarns and textiles using CmiA cotton.
Mr Siddiqui, Gul Ahmed has had some very successful years in terms of production and business results. At the same time sustainability has always been one of the most important guiding principles of your business operations. Are business success and sustainability mutually dependent?
A commitment to sustainability can contribute to longterm success in various ways. It can support brand reputation, risk management, cost savings, market access, and employee engagement. While success and sustainability can complement each other, the relationship may vary depending on industry dynamics, consumer expectations, and regional contexts.
How important is your cooperation with CmiA for achieving your sustainability goals?
Working with CmiA is important to us in order to achieve our sustainability goals. By sourcing CmiA cotton, Gul Ahmed demonstrates its commitment to supporting environmentally friendly and socially responsible cotton production. Additionally, CmiA enhances transparency in the supply chain, enabling companies to trace the origin of the cotton they use in order to provide consumers with assurance about the ethical and sustainable sourcing of raw materials. On top of that, our cooperation with CmiA can support us in our aim of attracting environmentally conscious consumers and of positively influencing our reputation. Consumers worldwide, including in Pakistan, are becoming more aware of environmental and social issues.
Since 2022, you have been working in accordance with CmiA’s Hard Identity Preserved system, which ensures the traceability of CmiA cotton from the field to the finished product. What advantages do you see for you and your customers?
The Hard Identity Preserved (HIP) system enhances transparency, allowing Gul Ahmed to provide detailed information about the origin and journey of CmiA cotton. This transparency builds trust with customers who seek responsibly sourced products. The HIP system helps us to ensure Gul Ahmed’s compliance with industry standards for ethical and sustainable sourcing, contributing to our overall sustainability goals. Traceability can also contribute to quality assurance by allowing for better monitoring at each stage of production. This can help identify and address issues promptly, ensuring the quality of the final product. Communicating the use of traceability systems and adherence to sustainability standards can differentiate Gul Ahmed’s products in the market, appealing to consumers who prioritise ethical and sustainable choices.
How important do you think standards like CmiA will be for textile companies in the future?
Embracing sustainable practices is not just a trend; it is increasingly seen as crucial for longterm business viability. The future significance of standards like CmiA for textile companies is likely to be driven by a combination of consumer preferences, regulatory developments, supply chain considerations, and the overall shift towards more sustainable and responsible business practices. Textile companies that proactively embrace and integrate these standards into their operations are well positioned to navigate the evolving landscapeof the textile industry. Adherence to standards like CmiA is likely to become a competitive advantage. Standards like CmiA thus contribute to a more resilient and future-proof business model.
ZAHEER AHMED SIDDIQUI
Senior Manager Sustainability, Systems & Compliance
at Gul Ahmed
“The HIP system helps us to ensure Gul Ahmed’s compliance with industry standards for ethical and sustainable sourcing”