PHMA demands equal access

The local apparel and value-added textile sector has expressed concern over the government's decision to include the rice sector, whose share in exports is only $3 billion, in the Export Development Fund (EDF) and the Duty Drawback of Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) mechanism involving large allocations, while exporters from the apparel and value-added textile sector remain ignored. The sector has demanded that the government extend EDF and DLTL facilities on an equitable basis to this key sector, which accounts for $18 billion in exports.

PHMA Central Chairman Babar Khan said the government owes Rs5 billion to the value-added textile sector under the DLTL scheme since 2014. He said export-led growth cannot be achieved through policies alone and requires a reduction in production costs and practical facilitation. He urged the prime minister to immediately declare an export emergency and convene a meeting comprising representative organisations of all export sectors. He said exporters across Pakistan's value-added textile sector have serious reservations over the provision of support under the EDF-DLTL mechanism to only one export sector