To save from falling: Upholstery makers demand promised package

Say prime minister promised fund to meet global recession

MULTAN: The upholstery manufacturers have sent out a distress signal to the prime minister as the textile industry of the country is unable to meet the demand of buyers due to an increase in the cost of production.

This was mentioned in a statement issued on Sunday. All Pakistan Bedsheets and Upholstery Manufacturers Association Chairperson Khawaja Muhammad Younas had asked the prime minister to make early payments of the refund claims. “We hope the prime minister will fulfill his commitment to restore the confidence of exporters,” Younas was quoted as saying. “If concrete measures are not taken in time, the industry will collapse.”

The cost of production, he added, has increased further due to 36% increase in gas tariff.



He said higher cost of production and lack of competitiveness also hurt Pakistan’s exports. “The prime minister was going to take a far-reaching step by announcing a package of Rs170 billion to meet global recession and to check the falling exports. The value-added textile industry would welcome the prime minister’s decision of textile package only when it is implemented.

A few months back, the prime minister assured a relief package of Rs170 billion for textile exporters, but the plan has not yet been implemented due to unknown reasons.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.