APTMA: 'Export-led growth can overcome deficit'

Resolving energy affordability is a step towards reviving closed capacities in Punjab

LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Chairman Syed Ali Ahsan has appreciated the government for recognising the importance of export industry because an export-led growth is a way forward to overcome the trade deficit and the consequent financial crisis.

"The government has met its commitment to the crisis-ridden export industry (five export-oriented sectors) by announcing regionally competitive tariffs for both gas and electricity," he said at a press conference at the Aptma Punjab office on Friday.

"The initiative of flat regionally competitive electricity tariff will not only reduce inter-provincial disparity, but also the inter-sector disparity." Now, prime users of electricity would enjoy the same tariff as the captive industrial units, he added.

He said resolving the energy affordability issue was a step towards reviving 30% closed or idle capacities, which is located predominantly in Punjab. However, he added, this regime should continue for the next five years for the growth of industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2018.

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