2011 to 2017: Textile, clothing exports fall 10% in six years
Association apprises NA speaker of issues hampering growth
Finance ministry is not ready to release funds for export manufacturers PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) discussed several issues being faced by the fabric industry with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq during a meeting held at the parliament house on Thursday.
A detailed briefing was given to the NA speaker by APTMA chairman Amir Fiyyaz Sheikh, APTMA president Gohar Ijaz and others about the current profile of the Pakistani textile industry and its standing in the international market.
The delegation also presented various proposals aimed at increasing exports and thereby reducing trade deficit of the country. They maintained that the textile industry in Punjab was virtually vanishing with most units closing down all operations due to the high energy cost.
55 Pakistani companies showcase textile products in Frankfurt
“Pakistan’s growth of textile and clothing exports declined by 10 per cent from the year 2011 to 2017,” Gohar Ijaz said. He argued that Pakistan had lost the competitiveness due to the regionally non-competitive energy cost, saying gas to the textile industry in Bangladesh was being provided at a cost of $3 per mmbtu, in Veitnam at $4.2 and in India at $4.5. “But in Pakistan the product is being supplied at a cost of $11 per mmbtu,” he regretted.
The APTMA delegation vowed that given the right kind of incentives, the textile industry would be able to play its due role in enhancing the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The delegation thanked the NA speaker for taking out time for this important meeting.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the textile industry was the backbone of the country’s economy. He assured the delegation that their issues would be soon discussed with the prime minster along with the relevant ministers.
The meeting was also attended by adviser on finance, revenue and economic affairs Miftah Ismail, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Commerce and Textile Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan and federal secretaries.
The ministers in attendance reiterated the government’s commitment to continue undertaking all possible measures, including policy initiatives, to create an enabling environment for the businesses to grow and making Pakistani products more competitive in the international market.
A delegation of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) discussed several issues being faced by the fabric industry with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq during a meeting held at the parliament house on Thursday.
A detailed briefing was given to the NA speaker by APTMA chairman Amir Fiyyaz Sheikh, APTMA president Gohar Ijaz and others about the current profile of the Pakistani textile industry and its standing in the international market.
The delegation also presented various proposals aimed at increasing exports and thereby reducing trade deficit of the country. They maintained that the textile industry in Punjab was virtually vanishing with most units closing down all operations due to the high energy cost.
55 Pakistani companies showcase textile products in Frankfurt
“Pakistan’s growth of textile and clothing exports declined by 10 per cent from the year 2011 to 2017,” Gohar Ijaz said. He argued that Pakistan had lost the competitiveness due to the regionally non-competitive energy cost, saying gas to the textile industry in Bangladesh was being provided at a cost of $3 per mmbtu, in Veitnam at $4.2 and in India at $4.5. “But in Pakistan the product is being supplied at a cost of $11 per mmbtu,” he regretted.
The APTMA delegation vowed that given the right kind of incentives, the textile industry would be able to play its due role in enhancing the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The delegation thanked the NA speaker for taking out time for this important meeting.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the textile industry was the backbone of the country’s economy. He assured the delegation that their issues would be soon discussed with the prime minster along with the relevant ministers.
The meeting was also attended by adviser on finance, revenue and economic affairs Miftah Ismail, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Commerce and Textile Haji Muhammad Akram Ansari, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan and federal secretaries.
The ministers in attendance reiterated the government’s commitment to continue undertaking all possible measures, including policy initiatives, to create an enabling environment for the businesses to grow and making Pakistani products more competitive in the international market.