Acting President FPCCI Aamer Ata Bajwa said that the textile industry is contributing around 8 percent in GDP, more than 60 percent in exports and provides employment to 40 percent of industrial labour force of Pakistan, however despite that government is not considering its demands.
He said that the textile industry is already confronted with many challenges including load-shedding of gas and electricity and its exports are on a continuous decline. Textile sector needs government support so that it could play a vibrant role in the economy. Any adverse action will not only damage the textile industry but may lead to closer of further units causing a great number of unemployment.
Bajwa emphasized on Finance and Commerce Ministries to give ear to the demands of APTMA and other related associations to overcome the present crisis in the best interest of country. He also urged the government to release the sales tax refunds and implement the Prime Minister package which was announced in January 2017. He also demanded withdrawal of Rs 3.63 levy per kWh surcharge in electricity bill and reduction in textile related imports from China and India to salvage the textile industry from its total collapse.
Moreover, last year government announced a textile policy (2014-19) which also needs early implementation. He requested to Prime Minister of Pakistan to intervene in the issue and provide level playing field as the cost of production particularly the prices of utilities are very high in Pakistan as compared to Regional countries like Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. which makes Pakistani goods uncompetitive in international market.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017